The National Cancer Institute recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Studies suggest that people who eat broccoli have a lower incidence of colon and rectal cancer. Sulforaphane, a product of the glucoraphanin in broccoli, induces production of enzymes that can deactivate free radicals and carcinogens. The enzymes have been shown to inhibit tumors in laboratory animals. The Agriculture Department research, published in January in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, identified high-glucoraphanin strains of broccoli that could be used in producing new hybrids.
Scientists face several challenges.
For one, it is not known how much of the various phytochemicals people need or whether too much could be harmful. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 11, 2001. All rights reserved. Produced by Journal Interactive .