You May Not Like It, But Broccoli Can Beat Cancer

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 12-7-2005 | Roger Highfield

[blam]

You may not like it, but broccoli can beat cancer

By Roger Highfield, Science Editor
(Filed: 07/12/2005)

A variety of "super broccoli" has been grown that may boost protection against cancer, scientists said yesterday.

The variety has higher levels of sulphoraphane and will help the half of the population which lacks a gene that allows the body to retain the protective plant chemical, they said.

Prof Richard Mithen, of the Institute of Food Research in Norwich and the lead scientist on the project, said yesterday: "Eating a few portions of broccoli each week may help to reduce the risk of cancer."

He said half of people appear to get less cancer protection from broccoli because they lack the gene GSTM1.

"Our studies suggest that this may be because if you lack the gene you cannot retain any sulphoraphane inside your body, it is all excreted within a few hours.

"But if you consume larger portions of broccoli, or broccoli with higher levels of sulphoraphane, such as the super broccoli, you may be able to retain as much sulphoraphane in your body as those who have the gene. Broccoli is also a rich source of other vitamins and minerals."

The super broccoli, which has been developed by traditional plant breeding methods, has 3.4 times more sulphoraphane than standard varieties. It has the same taste as regular broccoli and could be on sale "in a couple of years," Prof Mithen said.

Broccoli belongs to the crucifer family of plants which includes the brassicas cabbage, cauliflower and sprouts, as well as the closely related Chinese cabbage and turnips.

Crucifers contain high levels of glucosinolates, which release isothiocyanates - some of the most potent dietary anti-carcinogens known. Sulphoraphane is the main isothiocyanate derived from broccoli.

Although people who lack the GSTM1 gene may get less cancer protection from eating broccoli, it is likely that they will gain more protection from eating other types of crucifers. "So the best advice is to eat a mixture of crucifers," said Prof Mithen.

George Bush senior declared in the White House: "I do not like broccoli and I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. I'm the president of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli." An agriculture lobby then sent several tons to him.

[paulat]

Oh, the 80's. After eating raw broccoli for all that time, I was annoyed to find out that not only was it harder to digest raw

Wasn't that the birth time of

LOLOL!!!

[carlo3b]

You pinged?.. :)

 
Broccoli Gorgonzola Fettucini

Italians love broccoli, I prepare it often as a side dish and as a ingredient in our main meal. Broccoli, a member of the cabbage family, and is close relative to the cauliflower. Its cultivation originated in Italy. Broccolo, its Italian name, means “cabbage sprout.” Because of its different components, broccoli provides a range of tastes and textures, from soft and flowery (the floret) to fibrous and crunchy (the stem and stalk).

• 1  bunch broccoli, broken into small flowerets (tough stems removed)
• 4  ounces butter
• 4  large garlic cloves, chopped
• 2  large whole green onions, finely chopped
• 1/2  cup heavy cream
• 1/4  lb Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled, (or blue cheese)
• 1/4  lb parmesan cheese, grated
• 3/4  lb fresh fettuccini
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3-4  teaspoons fresh ground pepper

   1. Steam broccoli until just tender, then chop. You should have about 21/4 cups.
   2. Melt butter in large skillet.
   3. Add garlic, green onion, and broccoli; saute for 3 minutes. Stir in cream, salt, and pepper and cook at a gentle boil till thickened slightly.
   4. Toss sauce with hot pasta in a serving bowel.
   5. Add Gorgonzola cheese and toss to coat.
   6. Add Parmesan and toss again.
   7. Serve immediately with extra grated cheese and pepper.

[aculeus]

...farmers who had invented broccoli by crossing a cauliflower and a pea.

Seems unlikely.

More likely: the family was adopted by one of the broccoli plants.

[fortunecookie]

LOL, I had almost forgotten! (Well, I tried!) Remember the tacky early commercials? *eyeroll* It just about put me off broccoli and beans altogether!! Thank goodness the 80's with it's pretentious, raw broccoli and mushrooms, white wine only era is over!