Broccoli For Stomach Cancer

Researchers are focusing on the anti-cancer properties of a chemical derived from broccoli sprouts called sulforaphane.

They think that the chemical can help cells defend against oxidants, the highly reactive and toxic molecules that damage DNA and kill cells, leading potentially to cancer.

A team from Japan has found that a diet rich in broccoli sprouts significantly reduced Helicobacteri pylori (H. pylori) infection among a group of 20 individuals. H. pylori is known to cause gastritis and is believed to be a major factor in peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.

"Even though we were unable to eradicate H. pylori, to be able suppress it and relieve the accompanying gastritis by means as simple as eating more broccoli sprouts is good news for the a number of people who are infected," said Akinori Yanaka from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, lead investigator of the study.

"The data suggest strongly that a diet rich in sulforaphane glucosinolate may help protect against gastric cancer, presumably by activating gastric mucosal anti-oxidant enzymes that can protect the cells from H. pylori-induced DNA damage," Yanaka concluded.

Did you know?
Researchers are focusing on the anti-cancer properties of a chemical derived from broccoli sprouts called sulforaphane.They think that the chemical can help cells defend against oxidants, the highly reactive and toxic molecules that damage DNA and kill cells, leading potentially to cancer.