The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Trygve Tollefsbol, Ph.D., professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biology, has spent nearly 20 years researching cancer prevention methods with his team. At the center of their research are the very things many young people avoid: vegetables.
Epigenetics is defined as the research and study of the modifications to DNA or surrounding proteins that impact gene expression without changing the actual DNA sequence. The changes can result in the formation of tumor cells, which could then lead to cancer.
Research shows that the bioactive components found in plants, specifically the phytochemical sulforaphane, have the ability to inhibit and even reverse these ongoing epigenetic changes to the genome when they occur.
“While all vegetables contain some form of phytochemical, which are plant-derived chemicals, it is cruciferous vegetables that contain much higher concentrations of sulforaphane,” Tollefsbol said.
Cruciferous vegetables are vegetables that belong to the plant family of “crucifers,” including but not limited to broccoli, cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts.
Ultimately, a diet rich in these specific vegetables can help decrease the likelihood of the development of cancer through the neutralization and correction of these genomic abnormalities. Acting as inhibitors, these components can help prevent the development of tumor cells, thus decreasing the probability of cancer.