Apr 06 2009
Broccoli Sprouts helps prevent Stomach Ailments
According to the findings of a new study, broccoli sprouts, which is also called as baby broccoli, can provide us protection against some common but serious stomach ailments such as ulcers, gastritis and even stomach cancer. In order to obtain the benefits all we need to do is eat at least two and a half ounces of broccoli sprouts daily.
Broccoli sprouts contains sulforaphane, which activates the production of protective enzymes in the gut. In this was broccoli sprouts helps suppress infection of bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H.Pylori), which is regarded as one of the major cause of stomach cancer.
The study was conducted by researchers from Japan and involved people infected by bacterium H.Pylori. The researchers gave 25 people a diet of broccoli sprouts (70 grams per day for two months). Another group of 25 people were given the same amount of alfalfa sprouts.
The researchers found that patients who ate broccoli sprouts had 40 percent reduced levels of HpSA, a marker of H. Pylori compared to those who ate alfalfa sprouts. The researchers, was led by Dr Jed Fahey of Johns Hopkins University in the US, also tested broccoli sprouts on H. Pylori infected mice and got same kind of results. Mice which got broccoli sprouts experienced reduced levels of H. Pylori in the stomach.
It means broccoli sprouts helps the body fight against H. Pylori infection and thus reduces the risk of stomach related ailments such as stomach ulcers, gastritis and stomach cancer. But, as there may be several other factors, which leads to development of stomach cancer, simply eating may not provide 100% protection against stomach cancer, the researchers warned!
