In a recent review and meta-analysis published in the journal Nutrients , researchers collate, statistically evaluate, and discuss the proceeds of previous literature on the effects of broccoli consumption on various cancer types. They perused five online scientific repositories and identified 23 case-control and 12 cohort studies relevant to the topic under investigation. Their findings from a combined sample cohort of more than 730,000 individuals show that lower broccoli consumption was associated with a higher prevalence of cancers, suggesting that frequent consumption of this cruciferous vegetable could provide a protective effect against numerous cancers.
Review: Broccoli Consumption and Risk of Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies . Image Credit: KucherAV / Shutterstock Unfortunately, the included case-control studies only showed marginal statistical significance in most tests, and the cohort studies were considered insufficient in establishing the chemopreventive properties of broccoli, prompting researchers to highlight that caution must be exercised when interpreting the outcomes of the present work. These limitations notwithstanding, broccoli is widely considered a healthy food item with few to no adverse effects reported in its consumption, even exceeding recommended daily amounts.
While further research is needed before the biological mechanisms of broccoli’s cancer-specific benefits can be confirmed, the holistic bene.
