Friday 12 April 2013

Healthy Heart with Broccoli

We all know that vegetables are good for our health. But researchers at Imperial College, London have recently discovered why broccoli and other related veggies, may be especially good for your heart. It contains an active compound called sulforaphane.

Certain areas of the heart are more prone to blockage. In these areas, a protective protein known as Nrf2 is inactive. Sulforaphane activates this in the arteries to keep the blood flowing and protect them against clogging.

“What our study showed was that sulforaphane can protect those regions by switching on Nrf2,” said Paul Evans of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College.

So, what if you don’t like broccoli? Well, the good news is that other members of the brassica family of vegetables also contain sulforaphane.

Broccoli
Bok Choy
Brussels Sprouts
Turnips
Kale
Cabbage
Mustard and Collard Greens
Cauliflower

These vegetables have numerous health benefits in addition to those above. They are rich in antioxidants, known for protecting the cells from free radical damage. They are also rich in enzymes known to reduce the risks of breast and uterine cancer.

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