Broccoli and Brussels sprouts a cut above for blood vessel health

Date:
August 20, 2020
Source:
Edith Cowan University
Summary:
New research has shown some of our least favorite vegetables could
be the most beneficial when it comes to preventing advanced blood
vessel disease.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
New research has shown some of our least favourite vegetables could be the
most beneficial when it comes to preventing advanced blood vessel disease.


========================================================================== Published in the British Journal of Nutrition the research has found
higher consumption of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, is associated with less extensive blood vessel
disease in older women.

Using data from a cohort of 684 older Western Australian women recruited
in 1998, researchers from ECU's School of Medical and Health Sciences and
The University of Western Australia found those with a diet comprising
more cruciferous vegetables had a lower chance of having extensive
build-up of calcium on their aorta, a key marker for structural blood
vessel disease.

Blood vessel disease is a condition that affects our blood vessels
(arteries and veins) and can reduce the flow of blood circulating around
the body. This reduction in blood flow can be due to the build-up of
fatty, calcium deposits on the inner walls of our blood vessels, such
as the aorta. This build-up of fatty, calcium deposits is the leading
cause of having a heart attack or stroke.

Broccoli and Brussels sprouts a cut above Lead researcher Dr Lauren Blekkenhorst said there was something intriguing about cruciferous
vegetables which this study has shed more light on.



==========================================================================
"In our previous studies, we identified those with a higher intake of
these vegetables had a reduced risk of having a clinical cardiovascular
disease event, such as a heart attack or stroke, but we weren't sure why,"
she said.

"Our findings from this new study provides insight into the potential mechanisms involved." "We have now found that older women consuming
higher amounts of cruciferous vegetables every day have lower odds of
having extensive calcification on their aorta," she said.

"One particular constituent found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables is vitamin K which may be involved in inhibiting the calcification process
that occurs in our blood vessels." Eat an extra serve of greens every
day Dr Blekkenhorst said women in this study who consumed more than 45g
of cruciferous vegetables every day (e.g. 1/4 cup of steamed broccoli or
1/2 cup of raw cabbage) were 46 percent less likely to have extensive
build-up of calcium on their aorta in comparison to those consuming
little to no cruciferous vegetables every day.



========================================================================== "That's not to say the only vegetables we should be eating are
broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. We should be eating a wide
variety of vegetables every day for overall good health and wellbeing."
Dr Blekkenhorst said it was important to note the study team were very
grateful to these Western Australian women, without whom these important findings would not be available for others. While observational in nature
this study design is central to progressing human health.

Research welcomed by the Heart Foundation Heart Foundation Manager,
Food and Nutrition, Beth Meertens said the findings were promising and
the Heart Foundation would like to see more research in this area.

"This study provides valuable insights into how this group of vegetables
might contribute to the health of our arteries and ultimately our heart,"
Ms Meertens said.

"Heart disease is the single leading cause of death in Australia and poor
diet is responsible for the largest proportion of the burden of heart
disease, accounting for 65.5 percent of the total burden of heart disease.

"The Heart Foundation recommends that Australians try to include at least
five serves of vegetables in their daily diets, along with fruit, seafood,
lean meats, dairy and healthy oils found in nuts and seeds. Unfortunately,
over 90 percent of Australian adults don't eat this recommended daily
intake of vegetables." Dr Blekkenhorst and senior author, Associate
Professor Joshua Lewis, are both supported in their positions at Edith
Cowan University by the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

The team also included researchers from Flinders University, University
of Sydney, University of Minnesota, and the Hinda and Arthur Marcus
Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Edith_Cowan_University. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Marc Sim, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini,
Nicola P.

Bondonno, Catherine P. Bondonno, Amanda Devine, John T. Schousboe,
Wai H.

Lim, Douglas P. Kiel, Richard J. Woodman, Jonathan M. Hodgson,
Richard L.

Prince, Joshua R. Lewis. Cruciferous vegetable intake is inversely
associated with extensive abdominal aortic calcification in elderly
women: a cross-sectional study. British Journal of Nutrition,
2020; 1 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114520002706 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200820102434.htm

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