New study finds superfood could cut obesity, inflammation and diabetes

Researchers have found that broccoli may be a superfood that is good for gut health - potentially boosting your immune system and reducing inflammation. Researchers from Penn State have found that broccoli is potentially particularly good for the gut.

Biomedical specialist Gary Perdew at Penn State said: ”We all know that broccoli is good for us, but why? What happens in the body when we eat broccoli?

"Our research is helping to uncover the mechanisms for how broccoli and other foods benefit health in mice and likely humans, as well. It provides strong evidence that cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts should be part of a normal healthy diet.”

For the study, Perdew and his team fed an experimental group of mice a diet containing 15 per cent broccoli, equivalent to about 3.5 cups per day for humans, and gave a control group of mice a typical lab diet that did not contain broccoli. They then analysed the animals' tissues, and found that broccoli contains certain molecules that bind to a receptor within mice. This helps to protect the lining of the small intestine, inhibiting the development of disease.

”The gut health of the mice that were not fed broccoli was compromised in a variety of ways that are known to be associated with disease. Our research suggests that broccoli and likely other foods can be used as natural sources of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligands, and that diets rich in these ligands contribute to resilience of the small intestine.”

Good gut health has a wider impact on the body as a whole. A healthy gut microbiome helps in protecting the body against pathogens by supporting the immune response.

A healthy gut can influence mood and mental health, potentially reducing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. A balanced gut microbiome can help control inflammation throughout the body, reducing the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

A healthy gut microbiome is associated with better metabolic health, including improved regulation of blood sugar levels and a lower risk of conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.