News / Men's Health

Broccoli and Cauliflower May Reduce Risk of Prostate Cancer

Researchers from the Canada and US have found that eating more one or more servings of cauliflower and broccoli each week may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by up to 45 per cent. Prostate cancer is responsible for 200,000 deaths each year. Approximately 500,000 people are diagnosed with the cancer each year.

The article, which appeared in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in July of 2007, states that increasing the amount of cruciferous vegetables one eats led to a 40 per cent reduction in prostate cancer risk. Broccoli and cauliflower offer the most protection.

The study evaluated the association between prostate cancer risk and intake of fruits and vegetables in 1338 patients with prostate cancer among 29,361 men (average follow-up = 4.2 years) in the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Participants completed both a general risk factor and a 137-item food-frequency questionnaire at baseline.

The cancer-fighting properties of broccoli, a member of the crucifer family of vegetables are not new. Past studies have associated these benefits to the high levels of active plant chemicals called glucosinolates which are metabolised by the body into isothiocynates which are thought to be powerful anti-carcinogens.