What do Broccoli and Red Wine have in Common?

They certainly don’t look very similar but you’d be surprised to know that both broccoli and red wine (and possibly ANY alcoholic beverage) provide the same health benefit.  Broccoli contains a molecule called glucoraphanin that when chewed, produces sulforaphane.  Sulforaphane activates a transcription factor called NRF2 that stimulates the production of a host of molecules that protect cells from damage caused by toxins, environmental and otherwise. 

Alcohol, red wine in particular, stimulates this very same response through a chemical called resveratrol.  Of course, over-consumption of alcohol will cancel out the health benefit of resveratrol, making your entire body MORE prone to the damaging effects of environmental toxins.  Women should limit themselves to one glass of wine per day while men may consume no more than two. 

Broccoli, on the other hand, may be consumed in unlimited quantity (although you need only consume 150 grams to reap this protective effect) so long as your stomach can cope with its digestion.  Broccoli is placed in the category of soluble fiber, a type of fiber that doesn't break down until it reaches the large intestine, where digestion causes gas.  Plus, broccoli contains a small amount of raffinose, a complex sugar that produces gas, which is also found in beans.  If digestion of broccoli is an issue for you then cooking this vegetable may help to alleviate some of this unwanted effect.  Other sources that may be more agreeable with your intestine are broccoli sprout tea (purchased from your local health food store or Amazon) or a source from Juice Plus+ that I promote in my Healthcare practice.  Just two capsules per day will provide you with an entire serving of eight healthy vegetables, including broccoli.  Click here to learn more about this whole food product.