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  • With Mayo Clinic nutritionists

    Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

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  • Aug. 15, 2008

    Fascinating connection between broccoli and reversal of diabetes complications

    By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

20 comments posted

I often glance at the online listings of journal articles that are available ahead of print. The following one from Diabetes, posted Aug. 4, 2008, went right by me:

"Activation of NF-E2-related factor-2 reverses biochemical dysfunction of endothelial cells induced by hyperglycemia linked to vascular disease."

Huh? It didn't catch my attention until the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) ran the story on Aug. 5 and translated it as: "Broccoli may undo diabetes damage."

This very interesting study looked at the phytochemical (plant compound) called sulforaphane. It seems to help produce enzymes in the body that protect blood vessels by reducing tissue damaging substances triggered by high blood sugar. Sulforaphane also seems to activate genes that regulate protective antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.

Vascular disease is a major complication of diabetes. It leads to heart disease, stroke, damage to small vessels of the eye (blindness), kidney (failure that leads to dialysis), and circulation to extremities and possible amputation.

This isn't the first news about broccoli. In 2006, another broccoli compound was found to help boost genes that prevent damaged genetic information from being passed on to future generations of cells, thereby offering potential reduction in cancer risk.

In 2007, a nutrition study of men who had prostate cancer showed that a weekly serving of broccoli cut risk for the aggressive form of the disease by 45 percent.

In 2008, researchers found in an animal study that sulforaphane in broccoli protects the heart from damage when it is deprived of oxygen (such as what occurs when a coronary artery is blocked by a clot).

What makes the diabetes study so compelling is that it seems to actually identify mechanisms that the compound sulforaphane in broccoli trigger that may allow reversal of high blood sugar damage.

All of the studies point out the need for further research. They also point out that generous servings of vegetables and fruit (at least 5 a day) gets you going in the right direction.

So, you think you want the benefits of broccoli but don't care for it? Broccoli is a member of the Brassica group of vegetables in the mustard family. Here are "close relatives" of broccoli that you might want to include in your 5-(or more)-a-day:

  • Root vegetables — rutabaga, turnips, kohlrabi
  • Leafy vegetables — cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, rapini, collard greens, bok choy, napa (Chinese cabbage), mustard greens
  • Flowers — cauliflower, broccoli, broccoflower
  • Seeds — mustard seed and rapeseed (from which canola oil is derived)

As for me, I'm fascinated by all of this. Truly we are what we eat. How about you?

20 comments posted

blog index

  • November 11, 2009 12:04 p.m.

    Thanks for the Broccoli . Take note: Cinnamon added to hot drinks and any food helps I know it by direct experience. Fernando

    - Fernando

  • August 18, 2009 3:54 p.m.

    So why doesn't some enterprising healthfoods company sell Sulfuraphane in pill or capsule form? Maybe they do.

    - Hugh

  • July 26, 2009 7:27 p.m.

    I use the stalk cut into rounds as the base for hummos or cream cheese etc and the rest of the broccoli I grate into my salad. That way I'm getting it raw and perfect. It's good for kids as they eat lots without even knowing. They like it anyway slightly steamed so that's good. By the way for those who don't eat the stalk, try it - it's crunchy and a bit like radish texture. I try to buy organic as here in Australia most is sprayed.

    - Jane

  • April 17, 2009 12:50 p.m.

    Also want to let everyone know you can Juice the Broccoli Stalk too... to make the most of your money. I also have a Champion Juicer that's great too. Also you never want to HEAT your juice as this will kill all the good nutrients & enzymes too. I also mix Broth (Chicken, Beef, Pork, Vegetable @ Room Temperature - Do not HEAT!!!) with my Juices to make them taste better.

    - Mako

  • April 17, 2009 12:39 p.m.

    PLEASE READ!!! It's very important for everyone to know that you have to eat the Vegetable RAW to get the full nutritional value, especially when it comes to the ENZYMSES... I would recommend getting a good Juicer to get the maximum nutrition from the Broccoli (I have the Jack Lalanne Power Juicer - it's great!!!) Also you have to drink the juice within 3 hours before the enzymes die off, so make and drink your juice fresh!!!

    - Mako

  • March 27, 2009 11:14 a.m.

    How much broccoli do I have to eat in a day to get results? Thanks

    - Betty

  • January 13, 2009 4:56 p.m.

    Speaking of things that affect diabetes, I've heard that glucosamine makes the pancreas more insulin resistant. Anybody heard that one?

    - Shody

  • October 26, 2008 2:55 p.m.

    Broccoli is one of my favourite veg, particularly the purple sprouting type which I grow myself. I can't get hold of ready sprouted broccoli seeds, so I sprout my own - it's really easy.

    - Julie

  • September 30, 2008 1:02 p.m.

    i find it extremely curious why doctors don't tell you everything you need to know about healing yourself. doctors in my book are drug pushers not a healer. my doctor had me on so much sinvastin and niacin that my liver enzymes were close to 200. i quit the niacin,cut zocor down to half. the next time i went for a blood panel it wasn`t normal enzymes but they went down fifty points. doctors hands are tied because of the malpractice suits. they have to give you a drug that is much more effective than food,because if a medical doctor dosen't prescribe,he`ll be sued if anything goes wrong.

    - the kid

  • September 12, 2008 1:52 p.m.

    Research by Dr. Paul Talalay and others at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine determined that broccoli sprouts have much higher concentrations of sulforaphane than the fresh vegetable. Broccoli sprouts are available in the fresh produce section of many supermarkets.

    - Myra

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