Broccoli and similar vegetables ‘can offer positive gut health benefits’

Eating broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables can help to promote a healthy gut, according to a new study.

Researchers from Penn State University have shown that when mice ate broccoli as part of their regular diet, they were better able to tolerate digestive issues similar to symptoms of leaky gut and colitis.

This is because cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage contain an organic chemical compound called indole glucosinolates, which helps to promote a healthy balance in the gut flora, immune surveillance and host barrier function.

As such, these vegetables may be helpful in fending off diseases associated with inflammation in the lining of the gut.

Gary Perdew, professor of agricultural sciences at Penn State, said: "There are a lot of reasons we want to explore helping with gastrointestinal health and one reason is if you have problems, like a leaky gut, and start to suffer inflammation, that may then lead to other conditions, like arthritis and heart disease."

Future research may examine the best ways for people to receive the health benefits of cruciferous vegetables without the other associated digestive problems that these fibrous vegetables can cause for people with certain conditions.

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