“Mom Approved” Health Advice Protects from Head to Toe

The older I get, the more I realize that my mom was always right.

Of course, that’s hard to see when you’re an 8-year-old being forced to eat your vegetables.

But a growing stack of studies confirms that simply eating our veggies contributes to a healthier, longer life.

One family of “super veggies,” in particular, is loaded with a super nutrient that can fight inflammation, cancer, cognitive decline, and more…

The cruciferous family of vegetables includes staples like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. All these veggies contain glucosinolates, which your body converts into a sulfur-rich compound called sulforaphane.

And sulforaphane is a BIG reason why this family of vegetables is so incredibly good for you.

One of the most significant ways sulforaphane supports the health of your entire body is by slashing inflammation. At the same time, it boosts your body’s production of antioxidants by activating Nrf2.

So not only does it reduce your inflammatory load, but it also helps protect your cells from damage caused by any remaining inflammation.

Sulforaphane could also help prevent or slow cognitive decline by protecting your neurons.

However, one of the most vital areas of research on sulforaphane is its anticancer activities.

In a clinical trial of men with prostate cancer, those taking sulforaphane supplements for six months significantly slowed down the time it took their PSA to double. This suggests that sulforaphane could help prevent cancer or delay its recurrence.

Research has also indicated that people who eat more cruciferous vegetables tend to have a lower risk of blood and liver cancers.

But as beneficial as sulforaphane is, I wouldn’t recommend taking it as a supplement.

When you eat the foods that supply the building blocks for sulforaphane in your body, you also get additional nutrients like vitamin K, fiber, and other antioxidants that all work together to support your health and well-being.

In addition to the veggies I already mentioned, other vegetables that contain sulforaphane precursors include Bok choy, radish, kale, turnips, arugula, and watercress.

Just ensure you don’t overcook them since heat can deactivate the enzyme your body needs to create sulforaphane. Lightly steamed is ideal.

Like I said, Mom always knows best.

P.S. The HEALTHIEST vegetables you should eat daily.

SOURCE:

Otoo RA, Allen AR. Sulforaphane’s multifaceted potential: From neuroprotection to anticancer action. Molecules. 2023; 28(19):6902. doi:10.3390/molecules28196902