As of: January 29, 2024, 12:21 p.m
By: Jasmina Deshmeh
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According to current research, anyone who eats vegetables and fruit every day can reduce their risk of cancer or support cancer treatment.
If you believe lifestyle magazines, our refrigerator provides the right remedy for every illness.
But is it really possible to eat healthy with fruit and vegetables?
Experts at the Helmoltz Center explain that food cannot perform medical miracles
.
If an illness has already broken out, we cannot simply eat healthily.
However, a wholesome, balanced diet can certainly contribute to the prevention of illnesses - such as obesity, diabetes and cancer - and support medical therapies.
Plant compounds in broccoli inhibit cancer growth
A research team from the
German Cancer Research Center
and the
Heidelberg University Surgical Hospital
was able to demonstrate that sulforaphane, a plant-based active ingredient found primarily in broccoli and related vegetables, inhibits the growth of tumor cells.
Since 2007, scientists have been working on ways to destroy particularly resistant and aggressive pancreatic cancer stem cells.
These are tumor precursor cells that are able to regenerate well and are therefore resistant to radiation and medications.
In laboratory experiments on mice, the scientists found that sulforaphane suppresses a specific metabolic pathway in tumor stem cells, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy.
Inconspicuous vegetable with a big impact: Broccoli contains various substances that damage cancer cells (symbolic image).
© Addictive Stock/Imago
Sulforaphane occurs in the cruciferous family and gives certain vegetables a slightly spicy or slightly bitter taste.
In addition to broccoli, it is found in the following foods:
Cauliflower and all other types of cabbage
Cress, nasturtium
arugula
Radish and horseradish
radish
Swede with turnip stalk
Rapeseed
Mustard
Capers
sauerkraut
Since the plant substance is sensitive to heat, experts at
Heidelberg University Hospital
recommend only lightly steaming the vegetables.
When the vegetables are cooked, sulforaphane gets into the cooking water, which is ideally processed into a sauce or soup.
As an alternative to broccoli florets, broccoli sprouts or broccoli seeds are also valuable sources of sulforaphane.
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Do not consume broccoli in large quantities
As is so often the case here: it's the dose that counts.
Of course, eating large amounts of broccoli, seeds or sprouts at every meal makes no sense.
Especially since the bitter-tasting sulforaphane actually has the job of protecting cruciferous vegetables from voracious insects.
So far, no side effects are known, but it can be assumed that large amounts of the plant substance could have a toxic effect, according to the experts.
Broccoli and other brassicas can also cause flatulence.
According to the experts, the current recommendation is: 0.36 mg sulforaphane per kilogram of body weight.
A person weighing 70 kilograms would have covered his dose with two teaspoons of broccoli seeds.
Plant-based diet with a high proportion of raw vegetables
Another herbal active ingredient that complements the effects of sulforaphane is quercetin.
It is also found in broccoli and many other fruits and vegetables - including apples, berries, grapes and citrus fruits, as well as onions, parsley, sage and olive oil.
Green and black tea also contain quercetin.
Both quercetin and sulforaphane have anti-inflammatory effects.
Likewise salicylic acid, the natural active ingredient in aspirin (from willow bark), which is found, for example, in raspberries.
Other substances that attack tumor cells include:
Genistein in legumes
Turmeric
Lycopene in tomatoes
Resveratrol found in grapes, berries, peanuts and red wine
Piperine in black pepper
EGCG in green tea
For a good mixture of active ingredients against tumor stem cells, the diet should be balanced and contain many plant-based foods with anti-inflammatory effects.
In order not to “cook” the valuable plant substances, a high proportion of raw vegetables is recommended.
Foods that promote inflammation, such as red meat, sausage, white flour products and sweets, should only be served in moderation.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.