Broccoli Sprouts Against Asthma

Filed in archive Asthma on March 12, 2009

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 135887

Sulphoraphane - found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables - may help protect against asthma and other conditions due to respiratory inflammation.

Such were the findings of a new study.

Consumption of broccoli sprouts led to a two- to three-fold increase in levels of antioxidant enzymes linked to the protection of human airways against oxidative tissue damage, which leads to inflammation and respiratory conditions like asthma, according to findings published in Clinical Immunology.

"This is one of the first studies showing that broccoli sprouts - a readily available food source - offered potent biologic effects in stimulating an antioxidant response in humans," said lead researcher Marc Riedl from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

The active plant CHEMICALS glucosinolates are found in the tissue of cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts in high levels. Glucosinolated are metabolised by the body into isothiocyanates - powerful anti-carcinogens. Sulphoraphane is the main isothiocyanates in broccoli.