Reduce Cancer Risk with Broccoli

Those who are not keen on cruciferous vegetables don`t have to eat too much in order to stay away from bladder cancer. All you need to do is to eat broccoli at least three times per month, according to researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, USA.

The researchers conducted a study that involved 1,000 people. 275 of them suffered from bladder cancer while the rest were healthy. The experts collected data regarding their eating habits, especially the amount of broccoli or cabbage consumed. The cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage and broccoli, may reduce the risk to develop cancer due to their large amounts of isothiccyanates (ITCs).

The results showed that people who consume raw cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage or broccoli presented a forty percent lower risk of developing cancer compared to those who didn`t consumed these vegetables at all or less often. The same difference is between smokers who eat raw cabbage and smokers who don`t. The researchers also noticed that people who consume less than three portions of cruciferous portions per month and smoke have the highest risk to suffer from cancer.

The scientists point that the results are significant for those who eat raw vegetables, not cooked vegetables. The amount of ITC is decreased by sixty to ninety percent if the vegetables are cooked, according to researchers.

Another study conducted by scientist at the same institute showed that large amounts of freeze-dried broccoli sprout extract may also decrease the risk to suffer from bladder cancer. This study was carried on rats that were induced to develop bladder cancer.