That’s right! Everyone’s favorite green vegetable may bring more benefits to people with weight issues and diabetes to lower and regulate their blood sugar. Although not everyone is a fan of broccoli, this important veggie has an essential antioxidant that could do wonders for people suffering from this chronic disease. Researchers have found that broccoli contains a compound called sulforaphane that allows the body to stabilize blood glucose levels.

Great vegetable superfoods

There are other green vegetables that contain sulforaphane, too. For instance, cabbage contains this same antioxidant but not in the same quantity that is found in broccoli. In addition to its anti-hyperglycemic effect, sulforaphane can relieve inflammation and fight against cancer.

To be effective as a medication, the compound needs to be condensed into a pill form that containing a high dose of sulforaphane. A combination of metformin, the standard diabetes drug, and sulforaphane could boost the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, even if the kidneys function at a lower level.

Future implications

Although a great find, sulforaphane isn’t a cure-all for people with Type 2 diabetes. Sulforaphane’s benefits are significantly decreased when a person’s diet is unhealthy or unbalanced. Hence, obese diabetic patients would still need to make dietary changes and introduce exercise and other weight loss habits into their daily lives.

Researchers hope to replicate the study with subjects from a variety of backgrounds to assess how the compound affects individual with Type 2 diabetes of differing ages, ethnicities, and stages of the disease.

Science Alert. Accessed June 18, 2017. https://www.sciencealert.com/broccoli-could-be-a-secret-weapon-against-diabetes-say-scientists