Broccoli could be superfood that cuts obesity and inflammation

Scientists have hailed broccoli as a gut health wonder, suggesting it could bolster the immune system and lessen inflammation. Penn State researchers are behind the discovery that this green veg might be particularly beneficial for maintaining a healthy gut.

Gary Perdew, a biomedical expert at Penn State, queried: “We all know that broccoli is good for us, but why? What happens in the body when we eat broccoli? “.

He further explained, “Our research is helping to uncover the mechanisms for how broccoli and other foods benefit health in mice and likely humans, as well. It provides strong evidence that cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts should be part of a normal healthy diet.”

In their study, Perdew’s team fed one group of mice a diet with 15 per cent broccoli, which is about the human equivalent of 3.5 cups daily, while another group followed a standard lab diet without broccoli.

Post-experiment tissue analysis revealed that broccoli has molecules that latch onto a receptor in mice, safeguarding the small intestine’s lining and potentially warding off disease, reports Gloucestershire Live.

“The gut health of the mice that were not fed broccoli was compromised in a variety of ways that are known to be associated with disease. Our research suggests that broccoli and likely other foods can be used as natural sources of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligands, and that diets rich in these ligands contribute to resilience of the small intestine.”

Maintaining good gut health is crucial for overall wellbeing. A balanced gut microbiome aids in fending off pathogens by bolstering the immune response.

The state of your gut can also impact your mood and mental health, potentially lowering the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. A well-regulated gut microbiome can help manage inflammation throughout the body, reducing the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Better metabolic health is linked to a healthy gut microbiome, including improved regulation of blood sugar levels and a decreased risk of conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.