22/06/2004
Tasty sprouts protect against disease, researchers claim
A few forkfuls of sprouted vegetables could help the fight against cancer, new research has revealed.
The research, by Professor Ian Rowland and Chris Gill and unveiled today at BioIreland 2004 at the University of Ulster, showed that by eating just over 100 grams of sprouted vegetables every day for a fortnight has clear protective effects against DNA damage in human blood cells.
“DNA damage is associated with cancer risk. Sources of DNA damage include diet-related carcinogens, and bodily processes like oxidative stress – and the raw sprouts protect against this kind of damage," Professor Rowland said.
“And just a portion – 113 grammes - per day of a mix of broccoli, radish, alfalfa and clover sprouts was enough in our tests to show the protective effect."
Professor Rowland’s research is to be published this summer in Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a respected academic journal of research in the field.
The findings were presented today at 'BioIreland 2004, – Stepping Stones To Success', a major all Ireland biotechnology conference being held at the University’s of Ulster’s Coleraine campus.
Scientists, politicians, enterprise agency representatives and venture capital finance experts from the US, Europe and beyond are at the conference, showcasing the strengths and business opportunities opening up for the island’s burgeoning biotechnology sector.
(MB)
The research, by Professor Ian Rowland and Chris Gill and unveiled today at BioIreland 2004 at the University of Ulster, showed that by eating just over 100 grams of sprouted vegetables every day for a fortnight has clear protective effects against DNA damage in human blood cells.
“DNA damage is associated with cancer risk. Sources of DNA damage include diet-related carcinogens, and bodily processes like oxidative stress – and the raw sprouts protect against this kind of damage," Professor Rowland said.
“And just a portion – 113 grammes - per day of a mix of broccoli, radish, alfalfa and clover sprouts was enough in our tests to show the protective effect."
Professor Rowland’s research is to be published this summer in Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a respected academic journal of research in the field.
The findings were presented today at 'BioIreland 2004, – Stepping Stones To Success', a major all Ireland biotechnology conference being held at the University’s of Ulster’s Coleraine campus.
Scientists, politicians, enterprise agency representatives and venture capital finance experts from the US, Europe and beyond are at the conference, showcasing the strengths and business opportunities opening up for the island’s burgeoning biotechnology sector.
(MB)
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Cancer patients should be more involved in research
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.