Broccoli is from the Brassicaceae family and is classified as Brassica oleracea italica belonging to a family whose other members include cauliflower, kale, cabbage, collards, turnips, rutabagas, Brussels sprouts, and Chinese cabbage. The name broccoli came from the Latin bracchium, which means strong arm. It sounds even more inspiring if you inverse the translation you get (Lance) Armstrong.
HISTORY
Broccoli was cultivated first by Etruscans, originally called the Rasenna, who came from Asia Minor, now Turkey. It was in this region that the Rasenna began cultivating broccoli. These cruciferous vegetables were also grown along the Eastern Mediterranean. During the 8th century BC, the Rasenna began their migration to Italy.
The ancient Rasenna actively traded with the Greeks, Phoenicians, Sicilians, Corsicans, and Sardinians. No doubt their broccoli cultivation spread throughout the region and eventually reached Rome when they settled in what is now known as Tuscany.
The Romans were enamored with broccoli almost immediately. Pliny the Elder, an Italian naturalist and writer, 23 to 79 AD, tells us the Romans grew and enjoyed broccoli during the first century AD. The vegetable became a standard favorite in Rome where the variety called Calabrese was developed. The Calabrese is the most common variety still eaten in the United States today.
Broccoli latest research
There are more than 400 cancer research articles to date on Broccoli. This vegetable acts as a chemotherapy agent. Interestingly, the cell toxicity is cancer cell specific and does not occur in normal cells. Its action is mostly on proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis, but a few articles cover inflammation also . This food possesses an action on estrogen also and should help in hormone dependent cancer like breast cancer and prostate cancer. Broccoli is a good all-round weapon against cancer.
Posologie (daily diet)
1/2 a cup to 1 cup a day. Steam them or eat them raw. Avoid the microwave since the phytochemical is sensible to the rays. If you need ideas for the preparation of this functional food go to our recipe section and try the Broccoli sauce for cancer.
Cancer Protection Level
Bonus: cancer cytotoxicity