Eat More Broccoli to Prevent a Heart Attack
How This Cruciferous Vegetable Reduces Damage to the Heart
Nov 1, 2009
Mothers everywhere encourage children to eat their broccoli, but maybe moms and dads should be getting more of this green vegetable too. According to studies, eating more broccoli could help to prevent a heart attack – particularly people who have diabetes. Broccoli has already earned a reputation as being one of the healthiest vegetables on the produce stand and the news about this cruciferous vegetable just keeps getting better.
Eating More Broccoli for Heart Health
How can eating more broccoli help to prevent a heart attack? When scientists fed rats a broccoli extract for 30 days and then deprived their hearts of oxygen, the rats who were fed the broccoli extract showed less damage to their heart muscle compared to those who had eaten a regular diet without the extract. Researchers believe that broccoli causes the body to produce more of a compound called thioredoxin – a protein that helps cushion the heart against damage from oxygen deprivation. The type of damage the rat’s hearts sustained when oxygen-deprived is very similar to what happens when a human has a heart attack. It’s unclear whether or not this protective effect is seen in humans, but scientists believe that it probably is.
Why Diabetics Should Eat More Broccoli
Eating more broccoli may have even greater benefits in diabetics. Diabetics are prone to heart disease due to the damaging effect of elevated glucose levels on their blood vessels. Blood vessels are lined with cells called endothelial cells that help to cushion and protect the inner vessel against damage. Elevated blood sugars like those seen with diabetes can damage these delicate cells. Broccoli to the rescue! Broccoli is a source of a compound called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane has a variety of health benefits including anti-cancer properties, but it also stimulates production of a protein called nrf2 that helps to protect blood vessels against damage. Not only could broccoli protect the heart against damage, but blood vessels too.
Broccoli to Prevent a Heart Attack
To get these heart healthy benefits, it’s important to eat more broccoli, but it needs to be cooked correctly. When broccoli is boiled, most of the vitamins, nutrients, and heart-healthy compounds will end up in the water. The best way to prepare it is to lightly steam or saute it. This preserves the healthy compounds that protect against damage to the heart. Eating raw broccoli is another way to get the many health benefits this green, cruciferous vegetable has to offer. Eat it to good health! To find out more about the health benefits of eating broccoli, click here.
References:
Diabetes. Published online as Db06-1003 on August 4, 2008.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Jan. 23, 2008; vol 56: pp 609-617.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2002 May 28;99(11):7610-5 2002.
Nutraingredients.com website
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