Broccoli & Tomatoes: A Match Made in Heaven
Pairing these two powerhouse foods could be a match not only made in Italy, but in health heaven. Ever since I read about the following study by Dr. Erdman, I've been thinking of ways to get tomatoes when I eat broccoli and visa versa. Here's the study info:
In a recent study led by Dr. Erdman (John W. Erdman, Ph.D., Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana) published in the December 2004 issue of Journal of Nutrition, prostate tumors grew much less in rats that were fed tomato and broccoli powder than in rats who ate diets containing broccoli or tomato powder alone, or diets that contained cancer-fighting substances that had been isolated from tomatoes or broccoli.
In an earlier study, Erdman found that rats fed isolated lycopene (a natural
substance from tomatoes suggested to have prostate cancer fighting abilities) didn't have significant protection from prostate cancer but that rats fed freeze-dried tomato powder (it's easier to feed and contains the full range of nutrients in tomatoes) had much greater prostate cancer survival. Now for broccoli, broccoli is known to contain substances called glucosinolates that break down into compounds that help enzymes flush carcinogens from the body. But just like with lycopene, reseasrch has shown that glucosinolates work better when they are eaten with the other natural substances found in broccoli.
The take-home message: A lycopene supplement may not hurt, but the whole tomato will probably help more. Even better, a tomato eaten with broccoli may help the most. "Separately, these two foods appear to have enormous cancer-fighting potential," says Dr. Erdman. "Together, they bring out the best in each other, and maximize the cancer-fighting effect."
~~Elaine
Related Topics: Top Cancer Fighting Foods, Crunchy Veggies Fight Cancer
Technorati Tags: functionalfoods, tomatoes, broccoli, prostatecancer, cancer, prevention, diet
In a recent study led by Dr. Erdman (John W. Erdman, Ph.D., Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana) published in the December 2004 issue of Journal of Nutrition, prostate tumors grew much less in rats that were fed tomato and broccoli powder than in rats who ate diets containing broccoli or tomato powder alone, or diets that contained cancer-fighting substances that had been isolated from tomatoes or broccoli.
In an earlier study, Erdman found that rats fed isolated lycopene (a natural
substance from tomatoes suggested to have prostate cancer fighting abilities) didn't have significant protection from prostate cancer but that rats fed freeze-dried tomato powder (it's easier to feed and contains the full range of nutrients in tomatoes) had much greater prostate cancer survival. Now for broccoli, broccoli is known to contain substances called glucosinolates that break down into compounds that help enzymes flush carcinogens from the body. But just like with lycopene, reseasrch has shown that glucosinolates work better when they are eaten with the other natural substances found in broccoli.
The take-home message: A lycopene supplement may not hurt, but the whole tomato will probably help more. Even better, a tomato eaten with broccoli may help the most. "Separately, these two foods appear to have enormous cancer-fighting potential," says Dr. Erdman. "Together, they bring out the best in each other, and maximize the cancer-fighting effect."
~~Elaine
Related Topics: Top Cancer Fighting Foods, Crunchy Veggies Fight Cancer
Technorati Tags: functionalfoods, tomatoes, broccoli, prostatecancer, cancer, prevention, diet
12 Comments:
This column would bear much more credibility if there weren't so many typos.
any receipes with tomatoes &broccoli?
I put raw brocoli in my lunch salad every day!! Didn't know I was eating such a powerhouse meal. I also eat spinach each day. I have lost 35 lbs since giving up junk food and went back to eating healthy. Oh, to annoynoumos(misspelled intentionally) some folks always look for reasons to critisize.
It's not a new thing. It is well known to Ayurveda that always foods or herbs taken in the most natural way have the maximum benefit. And also foods or drugs of similar properties will have a very special effect in the body. To know more about such things, know Ayurveda, the renowned knowlwdge of India.
Is tomato sauce equally as good?
7:39 PM anonymous...
What do typing errors have to do with credibility,person perfect?
It's good to know I've been doing the right thing for myself;I love both broccoli and tomatoes.
Thanks...
The information that you provide is absolutely wonderful! I don't care how people spell words just as long as I can make out what they are saying. I make sure I spell things correctly. None of my business to point out other people's errors.
Thanks for the information!
What about vitamin B17 to fight cancer?
Receipe for brocolli and tomatoes:
Ingridients:
1. Brocolli
2. Tomatoes
3. Cumin seeds
3. Red onion
4. Garlic
5. Extra virgin cold pressed olive oil
6. Salt
7. Green chilli (optional)
(Use in quantities according to preferred personal taste, and number of persons to be served)
Cut up the brocolli into small bite sized pieces.
Cut the tomatoes into small pieces.
Peel onions and garlic and chop them to desired size.
Dice the green chillies (optional).
Heat up the olive oil and when really hot, throw in the cumin seeds. Add the onions and garlic and stir them for about three minutes. Add the green chilli to the mixture (optional). Next, add the broccoli and 'fry' them crisp. Splash a little water to keep the mixture from turning too dry. Do NOT cook them until soft. Add the tomatoes and let boil until the tomatoes becomes soft and forms a gravy. Add salt to taste and boil for another minute before removing pan from the fire.
Alternatively, the brocolli could be 'fried' crisp in olive oil, splashing a little water at the end with salt to taste and kept aside. As explained above, make the gravy with the tomatoes, and cumin seeds, onion, and garlic, fried in olive oil, with salt to taste. Add green chilli (optional).
Serve by pouring the tomato gravy over the crisp broccoli.
The brocolli-tomato dish goes well with brown rice, pasta, brown bread or potatoes.
Guten Appetit!
Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia
Broccoli Salad Recipe
Broccoli Chopped in bite size pieces
Grape Tomatoes
Sunflower Seeds
Cheddar Cheese Crumbles (or cut in bite size pieces)
Mix Italian Dressing with Light Hellman's Mayo for a dressing
Stir all together and enjoy!
I'm going to the store right now to buy Broccli sprouts. I drink tomato juice 3 times a day!
Post a Comment