Eat your broccoli fresh

Commercially available frozen broccoli almost entirely lacks the ability to form the beneficial compound sulforaphane from the phytonutrient glucoraphanin, according to new research.

Golly gosh, whoever would have guessed that frozen broccoli has been denatured to the extent that it lacks the enzyme necessary to product the all-important sulforaphane chemical? Sulforaphane is the ingredient that confers cancer-protective properties on broccoli (and its bedmates that include cabbage, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts), it also has the ability to reduce the inflammation that comes with type-2 diabetes. So, as I said, all-important! But back to the frozen vs fresh story ... brings to mind the issue of frozen peas. To make sure they retain their bright green colour on cooking, all traces of zinc are removed by a chemical chelating agent. 

So there are no short cuts when looking for all the benefits of vegetables and fruit - organically grown, fresh, whole and raw wherever possible, but if you prefer a little cooking, steam or stir-fry, with minimal exposure to heat! Add some steamed or grilled cold-water fish for their omega-3 content to minimise the adverse effects of too much processed or refined food.

Eat your greens - grandma was right!

Immune cells that play an essential role in protecting intestinal health could be boosted by consuming leafy greens, say researchers.

Hot on the heels of yesterday's (and earlier) blogs about the cancer-protective effects of cruciferous vegies in pregnancy, comes this study showing how those very same greens boost gut immunity! They do that by controlling the activity of vital immune cells through the activation of a particular gene known as T-bet. These immune cells play a pivotal role in protecting the body from infection by bad bacteria in the gut. They may also have a role in controlling food allergies, inflammatory disease, obesity and bowel cancer.

If you’re taking notice of the fact that a gene can be switched off or on by simple dietary manipulation, multiply that by many more and you have the reasons for this blog and all of my work in the area of preconception health ...

If you’re wondering what other factors can positively impact gut health, a premium probiotic is the best way to jump start those good bacteria  ... 

If you’re asking what on earth are cruciferous vegies ... think cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, broccolini, Brussel sprouts, kale ...

For some wonderful creative recipes that include these vegetables ... check my latest books and new mini ebook.