Broccoli is a vegetable that is actually a member of the cabbage family. Its Italian name is Broccolo and translates as “cabbage sprout”. Broccoli is exceptionally nutritious even by vegetable standards and as a result is sometimes called the “king of vegetables”. Just 1 cup of steamed broccoli will provide you with twice the recommended daily value of vitamin C and vitamin K!
When it comes to protecting us from cancer, broccoli contains two powerful antioxidants that can help – sulforaphane and indoles. Indoles are particularly effective at preventing breast cancer. Research shows that indoles have an inhibitory effect upon an estrogen metabolite that strongly influences tumor growth in breast cells, especially estrogen sensitive breast cells. In addition to this indoles also promote an increase in the levels of 2-hydroxyestrone, a type of hormone that can be cancer preventative. Indoles not only help prevent the development of breast cancer but also show an inhibitory effect upon cell metastasis – the spreading of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
Another study also shows that indoles are also protective against the development of prostate cancer cells. A study published in the Journal of the American Cancer Society found that indoles were extremely potent at inhibiting the production of a compound called PSA (prostate specific antigen). PSA is a protein that the prostate makes and can actually induce the production of cancer cells within the prostate!
Sulforaphane, the other potent anti-cancer antioxidant in broccoli, greatly increases the amount of detoxifying enzymes produced by the liver. These enzymes are needed to break down carcinogenic chemicals into a less harmful form so they can be excreted from the body. A study that was published in the oncology report journal of cancer found that sulforaphane was especially potent at halting the progression of and killing off skin cancer cells and leukemia.
Besides studies that show the specific effects of the antioxidants in broccoli upon cancers, large prospective studies also show that diets high in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale are always associated with a significant decrease in certain kinds of cancer. These cancers include that of the lung, colon, breast and ovaries.
Juicing Broccoli
The above studies are just a mere handful of the many studies that show the anti-cancer properties of broccoli, without even going into its other amazing health benefits such as protection from heart disease!
A great way to get an abundance of the anti-cancer antioxidants in broccoli such as sulforaphane and indoles is to make broccoli juicer recipes. The mechanical process of breaking down the broccoli into juice via a juicer (if you don’t have a juicer I recommend visiting Jack Lalanne Power Juicer Review) helps release a lot more of these antioxidants from the tougher fibers.
Broccoli is not the best tasting of vegetables when juiced, so mixing it with a sweeter vegetable like carrots will make things a lot more palatable. To make an awesome green juice broccoli recipe put 6 large carrots and 3 cups of broccoli heads through your juicer – and enjoy!
