Is broccoli juice really anti-cancer as the internet praises?

The trend of drinking broccoli juice to fight cancer has spread from healthy eating groups to TikTok and Instagram. What is the science behind this dark green juice?

Recently, many people have been spreading the word about the "miraculous" effects of broccoli juice in preventing cancer - Photo: AI

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cruciferous vegetable, packed with vitamin C, fiber, and beneficial plant compounds. Among them, sulforaphane, a compound created when broccoli is chopped, chewed, or juiced, is considered a potential "star" in protecting the body against cancer.

Numerous laboratory and animal studies have shown that sulforaphane may contribute to inhibiting cancer cell growth, promoting cellular detoxification and enhancing protective enzymes, reducing inflammation and antioxidants, thereby indirectly limiting the risk of DNA damage, a factor associated with tumor formation.

However, health experts warn: fighting cancer is not as simple as drinking a glass of juice every day.

"Most of the research on sulforaphane has been done in laboratory settings, at very high doses that are difficult to obtain from regular foods," said Dr. Emily Ho, director of the Oregon Nutrition Research Center (USA).

Some small human clinical trials suggest that sulforaphane may help in the treatment of prostate or bladder cancer, but the results are not yet strong enough to make specific medical recommendations.

In addition, sulforaphane absorption in each person also depends on intestinal bacteria, food preparation and origin.

The trend of juicing broccoli raw to drink to retain sulforaphane has a scientific basis, because cooking it too much can destroy the enzymes needed to create this active ingredient.

However, broccoli juice is not suitable for everyone. This vegetable can cause indigestion, bloating or interfere with iodine absorption in people with thyroid problems if consumed in excess.

Not to mention, the characteristic spicy, pungent taste makes it difficult for many people to accept, and some juice recipes online lack nutritional balance and can be harmful if abused.

Instead of following the trend of "drinking juice to prevent disease", experts recommend a varied diet, prioritizing fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, reducing red meat, avoiding processed foods, and combining physical exercise and regular health check-ups as the effective and scientific way to prevent cancer.

Broccoli juice may provide some good nutrition, but it’s not a miracle cure for cancer. If you want to reap the benefits, you can steam it, eat it raw, or combine it with other vegetables.

And more importantly, look at it as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, rather than placing excessive expectations on a glass of green juice.

Back to topic

MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nuoc-ep-bong-cai-xanh-co-thuc-su-chong-ung-thu-nhu-mang-ca-ngoi-20250717220944862.htm