Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Broccoli reverses diabetic complications

British scientists have found that eating broccoli can reverse the vascular and cardiac complications diabetic individuals develop.

According to a study published in the Diabetes, sulforaphane-rich vegetables such as broccoli can help repair damaged heart blood vessels secondary to high glucose levels in diabetics.

The study revealed that eating broccoli is associated with a 73% reduction in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, high levels of which can damage human cells. It should be noted that hyperglycemia triples ROS levels.

University of Warwick researchers believe that sulforaphane boosts the production of antioxidants and detoxifying enzymes like nrf2 which are responsible for protecting blood vessels against cell damaging molecules.

Previous studies had reported that broccoli and other brassica vegetables reduce the risk of developing heart attack and stroke.



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