Broccoli (Brassica oleracea)—Ingredient spotlight
This annual herb, which is part of the Brassicaceae family, has gained worldwide popularity in regards to the abundance of nutrients. In this section we will explore the various nutritional benefits that can be derived from it.
Nutritional Composition
This cruciferous vegetable is low in calories and high in its fiber content. It is a rich source of vitamins that are needed for health. It contains vitamins A, K, E, B, and C, folic acid, as well as minerals like iron, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Broccoli is rich in phytochemicals and bioactive agents like carotenoids, flavonoids like quercetin, sulforaphane, and indole-3-carbinol that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that fight cancer. It is also rich in glucosinolates that have anticancer properties.
Chronic inflammation and antioxidants and their link to cancer formation
It is important to note the link between inflammatory processes and reactive oxygen species, or ROS. ROS production is part of the inflammatory process, and excessive ROS production through eating processed foods (the western diet), exposure to dyes, environmental pollutants, fertilizers, and other chemicals leads to a cyclic crisis of inflammation.
This process of ROS exposure can cause damage to cellular DNA, creating mutations, alterations in function, and cancer development. Antioxidants mitigate this process in partnership with anti-inflammatory agents by protecting the cells from free radical-mediated damage created by ROS. Therefore, a diet replete with antioxidants and foods that mitigate the inflammatory response is crucial for overall health.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are rich in glucosinolates. Glucosinolates have breakdown products such as sulforaphane that decrease cancer cell proliferation; it also has cardioprotective, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic properties.
Sulforaphane interrupts various signalling pathways in cancer cells and causes cell death or apoptosis in cancer cells such as those of breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer.
It may also be an adjunct for cancer treatments that use agents like paclitaxel, docetaxel, and gemcitabine by acting to enhance the cytotoxicity of anticancer treatments against cancer.
Sulforaphane also interferes with the formation of actin stress fiber formation in breast cancer cells and decreases metastasis or tumor spread.
Sulforaphane also plays a vital role in the detoxification of carcinogens and free radical agents.
Quercetin, which is found in broccoli, exerts its anti-inflammatory action by decreasing the production of inflammatory substances by modulating inflammatory signaling pathways.
It is important to note that chronic inflammatory states like chronic hepatitis B and C can become precursors to cancer if the inflammatory pathways are not arrested.
From the listed points, you can discern that broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrients. It must be considered as a beneficial addition to your diet. As always, I wish that you stay connected with your physician when making decisions on diet and nutrition and live long and strong!
