Greens Habit Guide
Broccoli and the body's ability to clear pollutants
Jump to recipeA daily broccoli-sprout drink increased the elimination of a benzene breakdown product by 61% in a human trial.
Benzene is a pollutant found in vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke. Researchers ran the 12-week randomized trial in an area of China with substantial air pollution, comparing a measured broccoli-sprout drink with a placebo.
The drink supplied glucoraphanin and sulforaphane. Researchers measured a substance the body makes when processing benzene and passes out in urine. The drink group excreted 61% more than the placebo group, and the increase persisted during the trial.
This is human evidence that a broccoli preparation can increase one of the body's pollutant-removal processes. It's one reason the science behind these plants is worth paying attention to.
Try this: a hummus plate with radish greens
Spread hummus on a plate. Add radish greens, chopped roasted red pepper, and a few olives. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika. Serve with pita or crackers.