Here is another motivation to eat our broccoli!

Our immune system declines as we get older. Our body gradually loses the capacity to fight infections and other diseases. But eating broccoli might just give our failing immune system a boost.

Researchers from UCLA have found that sulforaphane, a chemical abundant in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may play a key role in boosting the body’s age-related immunity problems.

Sulforane induces the body to produce antioxidants that attacks free radicals which damage cells and lead to disease. Free radicals are by-products of normal body processes but they can cause tissue and organ damage, damage which can in turn cause diseases and aging.

So far, the study has been performed in mice, but other studies are already ongoing to see how the results can be translated to human use. Indeed, this indicates a window of opportunity in slowing down the aging process and the health problems – from cardiovascular disease to degenerative joint diseases, from Alzheimer`s to diabetes to osteoporosis – that comes with it.

The best thing about it is the fact that this antioxidant is all-natural and is avalaible from the vegetables that we can eat everyday. This avoids possible health problems unnatural antioxidant supplements might cause.

This is not the first health benefits associated with cruciferous veggies. Previous studies have reported on broccoli`s potential healing powers against bladder cancer. It is also a rich source of folate, a vitamin which help prevent health defects.

Source:

ScienceDaily (Mar. 10, 2008)

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 6 March 2008

Tags: aging, broccoli, immune system, sulforane