Broccoli in the Fight Against Cancer

British researchers released a report Wednesday that indicates that a few more portions of broccoli a week may protect men from prostate cancer. They believe that a chemical in this food generates genetic changes, which switches on genes that fight cancer and shuts off those that spread its growth. The British Institute of Food Research did one of the first human trials investigating these changes, with the results published in the Public Library of Science journal Plos One. Richard Mithen, a biologist at the institute who led the study said, “Everybody says eat your vegetables but nobody can tell us why.” He says, “Our study shows why vegetables are good.”

Each year, 680,000 men worldwide are diagnosed with prostate cancer and it is the second leading cancer killer of men after lung cancer. Broccoli contains a compound called isothiocyanate and other foods that contain it are cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, arugula, watercress and horseradish. Broccoli contains another compound called sulforaphane, which they believe gives it an extra cancer fighting punch. “When people get cancer, some genes are switched off and some are switched on,” he said. “What broccoli seems to be doing is switching on genes which prevent cancer developing and switching off other ones that help it spread.”

The outcome of the study showed that broccoli eaters showed approximately 400 to 500 of the positive genetic changes with men who carry a gene called SSTM1 getting the most benefit. Mithen says that about half the population has this gene. The men were not tracked far enough to see which ones developed cancer, but the study does indicate that increasing your vegetables portions a few times a week can make a huge difference. Mithen says that it is likely that these vegetables work in other parts of the body and may protect people from many types of cancers. “You don’t need a huge change in your diet,” he said. “Just a few more portions make a big difference.”