What are the benefits of eating your broccoli? Those mini green trees are packed full of nutritional value, but scientists have found it extends beyond that. The extract found in broccoli sprouts and cabbage (Sulforaphane) has been found to help protect mice against oral cancer. They are digging further into the prevention of head and neck cancer (HNC) in humans.
The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) discovered the connection when they gave Sulforaphane to mice predisposed to oral cancer. It reduced the frequency and amount of tumors among the mice.
This discovery will help spur on more research into the prevention of HNC in humans who are frequently exposed to the leading causes of this form of Cancer: environmental pollutants and carcinogens. The are now starting a clinical trial with 40 volunteers that are at a higher risk of HNC using capsules that contain broccoli seed powder and seeing if they can tolerate them and whether or not it will have a significant impact in preventing this form of cancer from happening.
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