Why super broccoli can effective against cancer? This word then pushed the scientists examined the benefits of green vegetables to fight cancer.

The scientists from the Linus Pauling Institute Oregon State University revealed the existence of sulforaphane, a compound in vegetables that plays a role in cancer-fighting. These compounds inhibit HDAC enzymes and a specific gene to suppress tumor development.

And advanced study published in the journal Clinical Epigenetics suggests that suforaphane also work against cancer, through a mechanism called DNA methylation.

“DNA Methylation and suppression of production of HDAC, which occurs due to stimulation of sulforaphane seems to work together to maintain proper cell function,” said Emily Ho, a professor involved in the research, as quoted from the Huffington Post.

Professor Ho said that the higher levels of sulforaphane, the more effective work against cancer. And, he called broccoli as a super vegetable with the best content of sulforaphane.

In 2010, scientists of University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center also published a study showing the efficacy of sulforaphane kill breast cancer stem cells in mice, and prevented the development of tumor cells to grow.

While a recent study published in British Journal of Nutrition revealed that the benefits of broccoli against cancer will maximum when combined with foods that contain the enzyme myrosinase.

But remember, cook broccoli should not be more than 3-5 minutes. “Try to eat broccoli with mustard or wasabi to get the maximum effect,” said Elizabeth Jeffery, a professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois.