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Sulforaphane - Broccoli does amazing things!

Sulforaphane – Broccoli does amazing things!

What makes broccoli so great? Broccoli does amazing things! Apart from being high in many nutrients, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron,  potassium chromium, manganese and folate(B9) but it also produces Sulforaphane.

Sulforaphane is a sulfur-rich compound phytochemical which will bind to substances in your cells produces antioxidant and detoxification proteins which increase cellular function.

This amazing compound suggested to be an anticancer, and antimicrobial phytochemicals are obtained from cruciferous vegetables.

Air pollution and  Pesticides known neuro toxins get into your system and can cause disease and these can help fight.

Sulforaphane Cruciferous Vegetables

Sulforaphane is found in cruciferous vegetables such as:

Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, collards, broccoli sprouts, Chinese broccoli, broccoli raab, kohlrabi, mustard, turnip, radish, rocket and watercress.

When these vegetables are chewed, a pungent taste arises due to the breakdown products of glucosinolates.

Activate Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane is activated when glucoraphanin comes into contact with myrosinase, these are enzymes that are a defense response within the plants.

That means to activate the response you need to cause it damage.  You must be cut, chopped, or chew cruciferous vegetables to release myrosinase and activate sulforaphane.

Chop up 10 mins before eating to activate.

Not Just Sulforaphane

There are other compounds found in Brocolli as well as Sulforaphane.

  • Indole-3-carbinol – Uniquely found in cruciferous vegetables, with more potential to help fight cancer.
  • Carotenoids – These compounds are believed to protect your eyes  lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta carotene.
  • Kaempferol – Antioxidant which may help protect against heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and allergies.
  • Quercetin – Antioxidant to help lower blood pressure.

Broccoli - the DNA whisperer

Sulforaphane Research

Cancer Fighting Foods – The American Nutrition Association

Cruciferous vegetable consumption is associated with a reduced risk of total and cardiovascular disease mortalityFindings support recommendations to increase consumption of vegetables, particularly cruciferous vegetables, and fruit to promote cardiovascular health and overall longevity.

Emerging promise of sulforaphane-mediated Nrf2 signaling cascade against neurological disorders. –   Sulforaphane has drawn considerable attention for neurological disorders in recent years. Nrf2 is one of the most crucial targets of sulforaphane which has potential in regulating the series of cytoprotective enzyme expressions that have neuroprotective, antioxidative, and detoxification actions. 

Sulforaphane-Enriched Broccoli Sprouts Pretreated by Pulsed Electric Fields Reduces Neuroinflammation  and Ameliorates Scopolaminesulforaphane-enriched broccoli sprouts might be a potential nutraceutical with antineuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activities.

Isothiocyanate from Broccoli, Sulforaphane, and Its Propertiessulforaphane may protect against various types of cancer, may also decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, and help in autism and osteoporosis.

Broccoli sprouts: an exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens – small quantities of crucifer sprouts may protect against the risk of cancer as effectively as much larger quantities of mature vegetables of the same variety.

Sulforaphane Protects against Brain Diseases: Roles of Cytoprotective Enzymes – Multiple researches have shown that Sulforaphane protects against central nervous system diseases through Nrf2pathway

Louise Burton-Payne

Passionate about feeding my body a plant-based vegan food to benefit my health, save the planet and protect animals.

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