Dr. Robert Young writes about the anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties of broccoli.
Quoted from the article:
Crucifer vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, have been tied to a lower risk of strokes and heart attacks. People with diabetes face up to a 500 percent increase in risk of developing cardiovascular dis-eases that are linked to damaged blood vessels caused by metabolic and dietary acids. They also risk other health problems such as kidney dis-ease which is also caused by an excessive amount of metabolic and/or dietary acid.
High blood sugar or acid levels can cause levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to increase three-fold to buffer the sugar and increased acidity. Sulforaphane activates a protein called nrf2 which protects the blood and lymphatic vessels and lowers the increase of acidity by 73 percent.
"Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetes," said Warwick Professor Paul Thornalley. He added that in the future it will be important to see if eating a diet rich in broccoli and other crucifer vegetables will benefit diabetics. "We believe it will," he said.
