A study conducted at the University of Warwick has found that eating broccoli regularly can reverse the damage done to blood vessels in diabetics due to a high sugar level (hyperglycemia).
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics are five times more likely to develop cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes than normal, as both are linked to damaged blood vessels.
A compound called sulforaphane found in brassica vegetables, including broccoli, encourages the production of enzymes which protect the blood vessels.
Professor Paul Thornally and his team found that sulforophane triggered production of a protein called nrf2 which guards cells and tissue from damage by stimulating protective antioxidants and detoxifying enzymes. When absorbed into cells, nrf2 activates the defence systems concurrently; the cells' natural antioxidant levels increase and also the enzymes that eradicate toxins from the cells.
The team concluded that activation of nrf2 may prevent the biochemical dysfunction of cells that line the inside of the blood vessels caused by high levels of blood sugar, and Professor Thornally advises that sulforaphane from vegetables including broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetics.
I recommend that all diabetic clients supplement a compound of dehydrated fruits and vegetables, including broccoli, to ensure they are consuming and absorbing the highest quantity of nutrients possible.