Broccoli helps prevent cancer: study[SMH]
Researchers from Institute of Food Research in Norwich, in eastern England, gave 22 men 400 grams of either broccoli or peas a week, equal to one or two portions, in addition to their normal diet, for a year.

Tissue samples were taken from their prostate gland before and during the trial, and the results showed that broccoli changed how genes linked to prostate cancer act.

This suggests the broccoli-rich diet reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer, and also the chance of localised cancer becoming more aggressive.

Other studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may reduce the risk of prostate cancer and other chronic disease, but this is the first to explain why.

Lead researcher Professor Richard Mithen said the results, published in the journal PLoS ONE, were exciting because they indicate benefits from relatively small quantities.