Broccoli

In a word-broccoli denotes thoughts of healthy food with great medicinal benefits. In fact a new study from UCLA found that the compound sulforaphane found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may help prevent respiratory inflammation and diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. How does this work? The compound seems to increase the production of enzymes in the airway that protect us from everyday pollution, smoke and other substance that cause tissue damage. Broccoli sprouts are the richest natural source of sulforaphane and in the study of 65 people who received varying doses, researchers found a two to three-fold increase in the anitoxidant enzymes that protect us.

The study was published in the March issue of Clinical Immunology.