Researchers from the University of Warwick have revealed that eating broccoli may reverse the damage to the heart caused by type 2 diabetes.

This is because of the presence of a compound called sulforaphane, which releases an enzyme that protects the blood vessels from damage. The researchers tested the effects of sulforaphane on blood vessel cells that had been damaged by high blood sugar levels.

They found that sulforaphane protected the blood vessels by activating protective antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.

"Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetes," said lead researcher Professor Paul Thornalley. "In future, it will be important to test if eating a diet rich in brassica vegetables has health benefits for diabetic patients. We expect that it will."

The details of the study appear in the journal Diabetes.

Source-Medindia
RAS/L