Did you know that the humble cabbage is filled with anti-cancer chemicals, as per the at the Francis Crick Institute.
The researchers reported that cabbage, a cruciferous vegetable, is good for gut health as well as other vegetables such as broccoli and kale can help in reducing the risk of bowel cancers. This is because it produces a chemical that is essential to the regeneration of the surface of the bowel.
Study
The study was published in the medical journal Immunity, and studied the health benefits of a diet rich in indole-3-carbinol (I3C).
The researchers studied a chemical called indole-3-carbinol, which is produced by cosnuming such vegetables.
According to researcher Dr. Gitta Stockinger, “Make sure they are not overcooked, no soggy broccoli.
The chemical is modified by stomach acid while making its journey through your digestive system.
In the lower bowel, it can modify the behaviour of stem cells, which can then regenerate the bowel lining, and of immune cells that control inflammation.
The study reported that diets that are high in indole-3-carbinol gave protection to the mice from cancer, even those whose genes place them at very high risk of the disease.
Without the presence of the protective diet, the gut cells divided uncontrollably.
Dr. Stockinger added: “Even when the mice have started developing tumours, and were switched to the appropriate diet, it prevented tumour progression.”
Bowel Cancer Signs:
- Blood in the Stool
- Changes in bowel habits, such as going to the toilet more often
- Bloating, discomfort or tummy pain
According to Prof. Tim Key, from Cancer Research UK, “This study in mice suggests that it is not just the fibre contained in vegetables like cabbage and broccoli that help reduce the risk of bowel cancer, but also molecules present in these vegetables too.
“Added studies will help determine whether the molecules in these vegetables have the same effect in people, but, in the meantime, there are many good reasons to eat more vegetables.”
How to Include Cabbage in Your Diet:
Include cabbage in the vegetables you eat on a regular basis. Try to consume a minimum of 1.5 cups of the cancer fighting vegetable at least 2x per week. These are the recommendations, for the top cancer fighting diet you can do, consume 2 cups of cabbage, at least 4-5 times each week.
Studies reported that no matter the type of cabbage you eat, green, red or Savoy, you can get wonderful health benefits.
Therefore, it makes sense that including it in your diet regularly will give you satisfaction in knowing that you are giving your all to fight cancer!
Sources:
BBC
Imperial.ac.uk
Naturalon
Related Posts:
1. The Many Benefits of Cabbage Juice: From Fighting Cancer, Heart Disease and Boosting Gut Health
2. Reasons to Eat More Red Cabbage
3. 7 Best Probiotic Foods to Improve Digestion
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