Cancer-fighting ‘superbroccoli’ goes on sale in UK

A heart disease and cancer-fighting "superbroccoli" developed by British scientists has gone on sale in the UK.

While the vegetable looks the same as standard broccoli, it contains a boosted amount of the nutrient, glucoraphanin which may protect the body against heart disease and some types of cancer.

Beneforte - a hybrid of British broccoli and a wild growing Sicilian variety - is available in Marks & Spencer stores now and will appear on other supermarket shelves next year.

British scientists used conventional breeding techniques to develop the new broccoli, rather than genetic engineering.

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Work on the project began after the wild broccoli variety was discovered in 1983, with naturally raised levels of glucoraphanin.

The nutrient breaks down in the gut, into the bioactive compound sulphoraphane, which circulates in the bloodstream.

Evidence indicates that sulphoraphane, has beneficial effects such as reducing chronic inflammation, stopping uncontrolled cell division associated with early-stage cancer and boosting the body's antioxidants.

Compared with normal broccoli, eating Beneforte broccoli raises sulphoraphane levels two to four times.
Research suggests broccoli-rich diets help to reduce the risk of prostate and bowel cancer. Other studies have shown that it can prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Professor Richard Mithen, from the Institute of Food Research said: “Our research gives insight into broccoli's role in promoting health.”

He added: “Now there will also be something brand new for consumers to eat as a result of the discoveries we have made.”

Science minister David Willetts praised the “fantastic achievements” of the scientists.

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