Broccoli Battles Stomach Cancer-Causing Bug

It’s been known for some time that a common bacterial infection, Helicobacter pyloridus, or H. pylori, is responsible for gastritis, the formation of esophageal, stomach and duodenal ulcers and some types of stomach cancer. Current treatments for gastric ulcer include taking antibiotics to eradicate this bacterium from the stomach.

Now Japanese researchers have found that broccoli sprouts can suppress H. pylori infections, as reported in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. Forty-eight H. pylori–infected patients were given either broccoli sprouts (70 g/day) for 8 weeks or an equal weight of alfalfa sprouts as ‘placebo’. Markers of H. pylori infection were: determination of an enzyme (urease) in the breath, H. pylori antigen in the feces, and serum pepsinogen levels (a test of gastric inflammation).

All the markers of infection were reduced in the patients 8 weeks after starting broccoli sprouts, but not in those eating alfalfa sprouts. Values returned to their original levels two months after the treatment was discontinued, however.

The responsible compound in broccoli was shown to be sulphoraphane, which is formed only when broccoli or its sprouts are macerated, as in chewing. Researchers believe that sulphoraphane causes the liver to produce an enzyme that deactivates cancer-causing agents. This might account for reports of reduced risk of cancer of the esophagus, bladder, skin, and lung in avid broccoli–eaters. I don’t suppose the first President Bush is amongst them, but fortunately there are a lot of people who do like broccoli.