Saturday, July 4, 2009

Broccoli is LIFE




Eating 2.5 ounces a day of broccoli sprouts appeared to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and probably stomach cancer including cancer of the esophagus, bladder, skin and lung, among others. The evidence is all pointing toward broccoli or broccoli sprouts being able to prevent cancer in humans. Broccoli contains sulforaphane,A study in Japan included 48 people infected with H. pylori Half ate 70 grams a day of broccoli sprouts, and the others ate alfalfa sprouts, which do not contain sulforaphane. After eight weeks, tests showed significantly lower levels of H. pylori infection in those who ate broccoli sprouts, with no reduction among the alfalfa sprout eaters.
Broccoli has a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol that can combat breast cancer by converting a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective variety. Broccoli, especially sprouts, also have the phytochemical sulforaphane, a product of glucoraphanin - believed to aid in preventing some types of cancer, like colon and rectal cancer. Sulforaphane induces the production of certain enzymes that can deactivate free radicals and carcinogens. The enzymes have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors in laboratory animals. However, be aware that the Agriculture Department studied 71 types of broccoli plants and found a 30-fold difference in the amounts of glucoraphanin. It appears that the more bitter the broccoli is, the more glucoraphanin it has. Broccoli sprouts have been developed under the trade name BroccoSprouts that have a consistent level of sulforaphane - as much as 20 times higher than the levels found in mature heads of broccoli.

Broccoli Nutritional Facts, each 100 grams
Calories: 34
Calories from Fat: 3
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 33mg
Total Carbohydrates: 7g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 3g
Vitamins
Vitamin A: 12%
Vitamin C: 149%
Calcium: 5%
Iron: 4%

No comments:

Post a Comment