Broccoli and Brussels may be beneficial in preventing advanced vascular disease

August 21, 2020

A new study at Edith Cowan University (ECU) has shown that some of our non-favorite vegetables may be the most beneficial when it comes to preventing progressive vascular disease.

Published in British Journal of Nutrition Studies show that high intakes of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage reduce the spread of vascular disease in older women.

Researchers at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the ECU and the University of Western Australia use data from a cohort of 684 elderly Western Australian women recruited in 1998 to eat a diet with more cruciferous vegetables In humans, aortic calcium is an important marker of structural vascular disease.

A vascular disease is a condition that affects our blood vessels (arteries and veins) and can reduce the flow of blood circulating around the body. This decrease in blood flow is thought to be due to the accumulation of fat and calcium deposits on the inner walls of blood vessels such as the aorta. This accumulation of fat and calcific deposits is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Broccoli and Brussels sprouts cut from above

Senior Researcher Dr. Lauren Breckenhorst said there was something intriguing to the cruciferous vegetables that the study made more apparent.

Previous studies have found that people who consume more of these vegetables are at lower risk of clinical cardiovascular disease events such as heart attacks and strokes, but we have no idea why. Findings from this new study provide insights into the potential mechanisms involved. Elderly women consuming large amounts of cruciferous vegetables daily found that the aorta was less likely to be extensively calcified. One of the specific ingredients abundant in cruciferous vegetables is vitamin K, which may be involved in the inhibition of the calcification process that occurs in blood vessels. “

ECU, Principal Investigator, Dr. Lauren Blekkenhorst

Eat extra amounts of vegetables every day

Dr. Blekkenhorst found that women who ingested more than 45 grams of cruciferous vegetables daily in this study (eg, a cup of steamed broccoli or a cup of raw cabbage) could accumulate large amounts of calcium in the aorta. Said 46% lower in comparison to those who consume little or no cruciferous vegetables daily.

“It doesn’t mean that the only vegetables we should eat are broccoli, cabbage and sprouts. We should eat different vegetables every day for overall health and well-being.”

Dr. Blekkenhorst said it is important to note that the research team is very grateful to these Western Australian women. While being observed in nature, this research design is at the heart of advances in human health.

Research welcomed by the Heart Foundation

Beth Meertens of Food and Nutrition, Heart Foundation Manager, said the findings are promising, and the Heart Foundation looks forward to further research in this area.

This study provides valuable insights into how this group of vegetables contributes to the health of our arteries and ultimately our heart. Heart disease is the single leading cause of death in Australia, with poor diet accounting for the largest share of heart disease, accounting for 65.5% of the total heart disease burden. The Heart Foundation encourages Australians to consume at least 5 servings of vegetables in their daily diet along with healthy oils in fruits, seafood, lean meats, dairy products, nuts and seeds. Unfortunately, over 90% of Australian adults do not eat this recommended daily vegetable intake. “

Beth Meertens, Heart Foundation Manager

Dr. Blekkenhorst and senior author Associate Professor Joshua Lewis are supported by the National Heart Foundation of Australia in a position at Edith Cowan University.

The team also included researchers at Flinders University, University of Sydney, University of Minnesota, and the Hinder and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and Hebrew Senior Life at Harvard Medical School.

“Brassic Vegetable Intake Is Inversely Associated with Extensive Abdominal Aortic Calcification in Older Women: A Cross-sectional Study” British Journal of Nutrition website..