Broccoli May Reduce Lung Cancer Risk in Smokers

Yet another report on the cancer-fighting properties of broccoli: it appears that the cancer-protective properties of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables lower the lung cancer risk among smokers.

Among smokers, the protective effect of cruciferous vegetable intake ranged from a 20 percent reduction in risk to a 55 percent reduction in risk depending on the type of vegetable consumed and the duration and intensity of smoking.

For example, among current smokers, only the consumption of raw cruciferous vegetables was associated with risk reduction of lung cancer. No significant results were found for consumption of vegetables in general and fruits.

Researchers further divided their findings by four subtypes of lung cancer and found the strongest risk reduction among patients with squamous or small-cell carcinoma. These two subtypes are more strongly associated with heavy smoking.

So if you can’t or don’t want to quit smoking, at least make sure you’re having an ample serving of brocs and other veggies. It’s not an antidote, though. As the researchers also indicated, quitting smoking is will definitely be more effective in lowering your lung cancer risk!

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