Did You Know?…
Feb 3rd, 2010 | Category: NewlettersThe health benefits of broccoli and related vegetables may come in part from a chemical known as sulforaphane, which appears to activate a specific heart-protecting protein. In addition to broccoli, cruciferous vegetables include cabbage, cauliflower, rapeseed (canola), radish, turnip, mustard greens and watercress. Sulforaphane was found to increase the activity of the protein Nrf2, which is known to be inactive in areas of the cardiovascular system that are predisposed to plaque build up. In these areas, which include bends and branches in blood vessels, blood flow is slowed or even disrupted entirely. Sulforaphane has shown it can protect those regions by activating Nrf2. These fascinating findings provide a possible mechanism by which eating vegetables protects against heart disease.