Spice up your Broccoli

Studies show pairing broccoli with specific spicy foods can reduce your risk of cancer

      Skin cancer is an issue that is more prevalent than it should be. We have a variety of skincare prevention methods, and measures that can be taken to limit damage from the sun. Many skincare products, sunscreen included, try to counteract the effects of the sun. Now you can take your sun protection to the next level with this one easy tip... Eat more broccoli, and spice it up! Broccoli contains a substance called sulforaphane that acts as a powerful anti-cancer agent. Although it is unclear exactly how Sulforaphane works to prevent cancer, studies have shown that it can enhance the transcription (or formation) of tumor suppressing proteins. Sulforaphane is found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. Ingestion of this substance, and applying it to your skin can help aid in cancer prevention. 

        But why the spice? A new study has shown that certain foods, when paired with broccoli, can further broccoli’s cancer fighting properties. Adding broccoli sprouts, mustard, horseradish, wasabi, or bok choy can increase the amount of the enzyme myrosinase. Similar to sulforaphane, myrosinase has powerful cancer fighting effects and when eaten together, these two components make a powerful team. Eating these foods can help prevent cancer, skin cancer included, but there are also other preventative measures everyone should adopt. Make sure to always wear your sunscreen, reapply after you have reached maximum exposure time, or after swimming or sweating. Don’t forget, just because it may be cloudy outside, does not mean that you should neglect your sunscreen. In fact, the rays present on cloudy days are more likely to cause cancer than the rays that burn your skin on a hot day. To read more about this, read the article. 

Healthy Habit tip of the week: Eat sulforaphane rich broccoli with other myrosinase rich food including, but not limited to, bok choy, wasabi, mustard, broccoli sprouts (3-4 day old broccoli plants), or horseradish.

 Recommended Product: Skin Smoothing SPF 30 or Everyday SPF 25, a perfect primer and great for light on-the-go sun protection