Imagine spreading broccoli extract on your skin to protect against the sun’s powerful rays. Sounds odd? A team of scientists recommend doing just that to decrease the risk of skin cancer.
Digital Journal — Imagine spreading broccoli extract on your skin to protect against the sun’s powerful rays. Sounds odd? A team of scientists recommend doing just that to decrease the risk of skin cancer.
Scientists from John Hopkins School of Medicine found a protective chemical agent in broccoli sprouts called sulforaphane, which reduces redness and irritation caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Chief investigator Paul Talalay, M.D., professor of pharmacology, is quick to point out the chemical agent is stronger a veggie sunscreen. He says in the press release: The extract works inside cells by boosting the production of a network of protective enzymes that defend cells against many aspects of UV damage. Consequently, the effects are long-lasting; the protection lasts for several days, even after the extract is no longer present on or in the skin.
When researchers used the broccoli extract on volunteers, UV-induced redness or inflammations were reduced by an average of 37 per cent. Talalay is encouraged by the results, saying:
Treatment with this broccoli sprout extract might be another protective measure that alleviates the skin damage caused by UV radiation and thereby decreases our long-term risk of developing cancer.
Your mom used to say to eat your broccoli. Perhaps in the future you’ll be telling your kids to smear broccoli over their skin before they go to beach.
