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Broccoli May Help Protect Against Respiratory Conditions Like Asthma |
UCLA researchers report that a naturally occurring compound called
sulforaphane found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may
help protect against respiratory inflammation that cause conditions
like asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease.
Sulforaphane triggers an increase of antioxidant enzymes in the human airway that offers protection against the polluted air, pollen and diesel exhaust we breathe. "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 Dr. Marc Riedl.
"We found a two-to three-fold increase in antioxidant enzymes in the nasal airway cells of study participants who had eaten a preparation of broccoli sprouts," Riedl said. "This strategy may offer protection against inflammatory processes and could lead to potential treatments for a variety of respiratory conditions."
The UCLA team worked with 65 volunteers who were given varying oral doses of either broccoli or alfalfa sprout preparations for three days. Broccoli sprouts are the richest natural source of sulforaphane; the alfalfa sprouts, which do not contain the compound, served as a placebo.
According to the authors, no serious side effects occurred in study participants receiving broccoli sprouts, demonstrating that this may be an effective, safe antioxidant strategy to help reduce the inflammatory impact of free radicals.
Source: Clinical Immunology
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