Sulforaphane is one of the natural plant compounds that are mainly found in different cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower as well as broccoli. It is known for its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and neuroprotective properties, while it is also known for protecting against aging and diabetes.
It is considered as a potent cancer-fighting as well as an antibacterial compound that is found in cruciferous vegetables and sprouts. The intake of this compound is also linked to various health benefits such as improved heart health as well as digestion. When glucoraphanin comes into contact with myrosinase, sulforaphane is activated which belongs to the family of enzymes. So cruciferous vegetables must be always cut, chopped as well as chewed in order to release myrosinase and activate sulforaphane. Therefore, remember that vegetables that are raw have the highest level of sulforaphane.
When cooking, steaming the vegetables for one to three minutes is the best way to optimize sulforaphane. It is highly good for your body and beneficial for cancer prevention. Sulforaphane is made when glucoraphanin comes into contact with the enzyme myrosinase, contained within the cells but in various compartments. Therefore, the level of sulforaphane is highest in broccoli sprouts.
Benefits of sulforaphane
Promotes detoxification: The presence of sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts helps in boosting the body’s natural detoxification mechanism in several ways. Due to an indirect antioxidant, it helps in boosting the antioxidant capacity of cells instead of just providing antioxidants. Therefore, sulforaphane is one of the potent inducers of phase 2 enzymes recognized till date.
Boosts up your brain: Sulforaphane is very effective and good for the brain. It is considered as a brain-boosting substance as it has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. According to various studies, it was revealed that this compound is known for reducing depression symptoms as well as anxiety. It is known to show improvement in social interaction as well as verbal communication in patients suffering from autism spectrum disorder.
Protect against cancer: Everyone is aware that brassica vegetable is known for protecting against cancer. Eating just three to five servings of this vegetable a week can help to reduce the risk of cancer by 30 to 40%. Due to this drastic reduction in cancer risk has given great reason to eat this vegetable daily. Sulforaphane is also known for showing other cancer-protective benefits such as:
1. Prohibit the growth of cancer cells while supporting the growth of healthy cells.
2. It targets cancer cells and also protects healthy cells.
3. Sulforaphane is known for killing breast cancer cells, liver cancer cells, cervical cancer cells, prostate cancer cells as well as colorectal cancer cells in clinical studies.
4. It helps in inhibiting skin cancer as well as bladder cancer development.
Supports heart health: Sulforaphane is known for having potent antioxidants due to which it helps in increasing the body’s own antioxidant producing capabilities. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties help in making it beneficial for the heart and are known for showing heart-protective effects.
Studies have revealed that it has shown to reduce blood pressure levels in people suffering from hypertension as well as lowered triglycerides.
Support the liver health: The liver is responsible for detoxifying your body. But unfortunately, alcohol, high fat, high sodium foods as well as high sugar can lead to different types of fatty liver disease. The healing properties of sulforaphane which come from antioxidant qualities help in protecting your liver against oxidative stress. Therefore, this supplement has shown to reduce the risk of liver disease and also improved liver functioning.
Acts as an anti-inflammatory: The presence of sulforaphane and other antioxidants in cruciferous vegetables is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that often help to encounter problems such as joint pain, anxiety, heart disease as well as acne.
Helps in boosting immune system: It helps to boost immunity and restore or delay the decline of cellular immunity which happens because of aging. Sulforaphane fight against the free radicals present in your body that might cause dangerous diseases like cancer, while it boosts up your immune system.
Helps in reducing the health damage caused by pollution: Sulforaphane helps the body in detoxifying the airborne pollutants, pesticides as well as heavy metals by simply activating the detoxification system.
Therefore, these are some of the effective and excellent benefits of Sulforaphane for your full body.