A compound found in broccoli and related vegetables may have more health-boosting tricks up its sleeves, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.
Veggie fans can already point to some cancer-fighting properties of 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), a chemical produced from the compound indole-3-carbinol when Brassica vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and kale are chewed and digested. Animal studies have shown that DIM can actually stop the growth of certain cancer cells.
“It is well-known that the immune system can seek out and destroy tumor cells, and even prevent tumor growth,” said Ling Xue. “An important type of T cell, called a T killer cell, can directly kill certain tumor cells, virally infected cells and sometimes parasites. This study provides strong evidence that could help explain how DIM blocks tumor growth in animals.”
And if you grew up in an old-fashioned Italian neighborhood, you had spaghetti con il broccolo dell’aglio dell’olio at least once a week as your main meal.
Not only do I love it – turns out to be good for me.
Reminds me of the old joke: Q: What’s the difference between snot and broccoli? A: Kids hate eating broccoli.
I notice the study doesn’t mention that these health benefits are only present when the broccoli, cabbage, kale, etc. is eaten raw–and then only when slowly chewed over a long period of time. There’s a lot of healthy cud-chewers at those raw-food vegetarian restaurants.
That reminds me of what George Carlin said. “Saliva has been proven to cause cancer, but not to worry. Only when swallowed in small amounts over a long period of time.”
For all the broccoli fans out there:
Dana Carvey: Choppin’ Broccoli
eat it raw
raw
raw
raw
“I notice the study doesn’t mention that these health benefits are only present when the broccoli, cabbage, kale, etc. is eaten raw–and then only when slowly chewed over a long period of time. There’s a lot of healthy cud-chewers at those raw-food vegetarian restaurants.”
Not really. Cooking is actually beneficial
for releasing the good stuff in a manner much more easily
metabolized than consuming raw. Not to say that
they couldn’t be over-cooked into uselessness, of course.
“It should be noted that the plant enzymes that raw-foodists try to preserve are no match for the highly acidic environment of the stomach. There, they’re rendered inactive before digestion is complete. And some phytonutrients, such as the brightly colored carotenoids found in tomatoes, spinach and carrots, are not as readily absorbed from raw foods as they are from cooked foods.”
— Chicago Tribune article “Raw food may fall short in some nutrients”,
Aug. 19, 2007
5 —
Raw, raw, raw… That’s the spirit!
Next thing we’ll find out is that groat clusters are good for you, and so are Loosner’s Castor Oil Flakes, with real glycerine vibrafoam.
#6 – Obvious propaganda from the Brassica vegetables-growing industry.
Oh, it ain’t no use if it ain’t got the juice,
the juice you get from Looseners, Looose nners!
Green salad with strips of sundried tomato and a infused vinegret dressing. Steamed freshly picked broccoli with a light spray of warm extra virgin olive oil and melted mozzarella cheese (not too much), on good spaghetti, with grilled sea bass and a glass of un-oaked white wine. Glazed peeled apricots with manuka honey, on french vanilla ice cream.
If broccoli is so good for you then how come Bush Sr. is still alive if he doesn’t eat it at all?
I have long known about the positive impact of broccoli on my immune system. I try to eat broccoli with every meal, raw, cooked, and as snacks between meal.
Of course, when you engage in as much unprotected anonymous sex as I do, a strong immune system is really important.
“Anonymous sex”? Does that mean alone in front of your computer?
#13…..OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!
God, I can’t stop laughing. 🙂
For people who may experience gas after eating a lot of broccoli, the discoverers of this important finding at UC Berkeley have created a product called ActivaMune. It has clinically been shown to reduce the risk of cancer significantly.
http://www.activamune.com/