Broccoli could suppress breast cancer tumours

US doctors are giving breast cancer patients medicine made from broccoli in a bid to help the body fight the disease.

Past research has found that sulforaphane, a compound released by our bodies after we eat broccoli, can increase protective enzymes in breast tissue.

Now scientists have extracted sulforaphane to give to patients who have just been diagnosed.

Two studies into broccoli-based medicines are currently underway in Oregon and Maryland, US.

"Sulforaphane is very important," Dr Maria Traka from the UK's Institute of Food Research told the Daily Mail.

"The evidence suggests that it helps maintain a healthy balance of antioxidants in the body to counter the effects of dietary, environmental or other carcinogens."

The researchers believe that sulforaphane switches on genes to increase the body's antioxidant levels and may help the body create enzymes to excrete carcinogens.

Dr Traka recommends everybody adds broccoli to their weekly menu.

"To get the benefits, you would need to eat three or four portions of broccoli a week," she said.

"Some may find that difficult but, having seen the evidence, my family now eat it three or four times a week."