June 18 2014. An article published online on June 9, 2014 in Cancer Prevention Research reports a protective effect for a beverage made from broccoli sprouts against the accumulation of airborne pollutants in Chinese men and women. Broccoli sprouts are an abundant source of glucoraphanin, which generates a compound known as sulforaphane that induces cell-protective enzymes, including glutathione S-transferases.
The trial enrolled 62 men and 229 women residing in a heavily industrialized region of China. Participants were randomized to receive a beverage that contained freeze-dried broccoli sprout powder or a control beverage daily for twelve weeks. Urine samples were periodically analyzed for levels of the carcinogen benzene and lung irritants acrolein and crotonaldehyde.
Benzene excretion increased by 61% among those who received broccoli sprout powder beginning with the first day of the study, and acrolein excretion increased by 23% over the course of the trial. The authors note that the dosage of glucoraphanin and sulforaphane provided by the beverage was higher than that commonly associated with broccoli consumers and that future trials should evaluate the effectiveness of lower doses.
“This study points to a frugal, simple and safe means that can be taken by individuals to possibly reduce some of the long-term health risks associated with air pollution,” noted lead researcher Thomas Kensler, PhD. “This while government leaders and policy makers define and implement more effective regulatory policies to improve air quality.”
“Air pollution is a complex and pervasive public health problem,” observed coauthor John Groopman, PhD, of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “To address this problem comprehensively, in addition to the engineering solutions to reduce regional pollution emissions, we need to translate our basic science into strategies to protect individuals from these exposures. This study supports the development of food-based strategies as part of this overall prevention effort.”
