Broccoli Battles Stomach Cancer Causing Bacteria, Says Research Study

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Former President George H. W. Bush became famous for his dislike of eating broccoli. Those that agree with him might want to rethink that position.

Image Courtesy of SugarShakes.

The American Institute for Cancer Research has just completed a study showing that eating a healthy portion of broccoli regularly can suppress a bacteria known to be a contributing cause of ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer.

The bacteria is Helicobacter pylori. Broccoli and its sprouts are rich in sulforaphane, a compound known by researchers to be a potent antibiotic against the bacteria.

A team of AICR-funded researchers in Japan and at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, randomly assigned 48 patients infected with H. pylori to eat a daily dose of broccoli sprouts or alfalfa. The broccoli sprouts delivered the same amount of sulforaphane as about two to three servings of broccoli. Alfalfa does not contain sulforaphane.

After eight weeks, the broccoli-sprout group showed a significant decrease in measures of H. pylori, though two months after they stopped eating the broccoli sprouts, signs of the bacterium increased to previous levels. There was no sign of change in the alfalfa-eating group.

In the same report, the scientists also found that H. pylori-infected mice that drank broccoli sprout-infused water for eight weeks showed a significant increase in the activity of two compounds that protect cells against oxidative damage.

In addition, the number of H. pylori in the stomachs of the mice drinking the broccoli sprout-infused water decreased, while the plain water-drinking mice saw no improvement.

The human and animal studies together, note the authors, suggest that sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts hold promise to protect against stomach cancer by fighting H. pylori both directly and indirectly.

H. pylori is believed to be transmitted orally, according to the Helicobacter Foundation, Perth, Western Australia, which further states that “many researchers think that H, pylori is transmitted orally by means of fecal matter through the ingestion of waste-tainted food or water.

“In addition, it is possible that H. pylori could be transmitted from the stomach to the mouth through gastro-esophagal reflux or belching, common symptoms of gastritis. The bacterium could then also be transmitted through oral contact.”

The AICR is a cancer charity that fosters research on the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and weight management to cancer risk. The AICR interprets the scientific literature and educates the public about the results.