Is broccoli juice really anti-cancer as the internet praises?

ung thư - Ảnh 1. — Recently, many people have been spreading the word about the "miraculous" effects of broccoli juice in preventing cancer - Photo: AI

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cruciferous vegetable that is high in vitamin C, fiber, and beneficial plant compounds. Among them, sulforaphane, a compound produced when broccoli is chopped, chewed, or juiced, is considered a potential "star" in protecting the body against cancer.

Numerous laboratory and animal studies have shown that sulforaphane may help inhibit cancer cell growth, promote cellular detoxification, and enhance protective enzymes, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidant protection, thereby indirectly limiting the risk of DNA damage, a factor associated with tumor formation.

However, health experts warn: fighting cancer is not as simple as drinking a glass of juice every day.

"Most of the research on sulforaphane has been done in laboratory settings, at very high doses that are difficult to obtain from regular foods," said Dr. Emily Ho, director of the Oregon Nutrition Research Center (USA).

Several small human clinical trials suggest that sulforaphane may help in the treatment of prostate or bladder cancer, but the results are not yet strong enough to make specific medical recommendations.

In addition, the absorption of sulforaphane in each person also depends on intestinal bacteria, food preparation and origin.

The trend of juicing raw broccoli to drink to retain sulforaphane has a scientific basis, because overcooking can destroy the enzymes needed to create this active ingredient.

However, broccoli juice is not suitable for everyone. This vegetable can cause indigestion, bloating or interfere with iodine absorption in people with thyroid problems if consumed in excess.

Not to mention, the characteristic spicy, pungent taste makes it difficult for many people to accept, and some juice recipes online lack nutritional balance and can be harmful if abused.

Instead of following the trend of "drinking juice to prevent disease", experts recommend a varied diet, prioritizing fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, reducing red meat, avoiding processed foods, and combining physical exercise and regular health check-ups as the effective and scientific way to prevent cancer.

Broccoli juice may provide some good nutrition, but it’s not a miracle cure for cancer. If you want to reap the benefits of broccoli, you can steam it, eat it raw, or combine it with other vegetables.

And more importantly, look at it as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, rather than placing excessive expectations on a glass of green juice.

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MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nuoc-ep-bong-cai-xanh-co-thuc-su-chong-ung-thu-nhu-mang-ca-ngoi-20250717220944862.htm