According to a study carried by a group of researchers from the University of Lund, Sweden, the consumption of broccoli would help in controlling blood glucose levels. In particular, this property of the crucifer (a cruciferous plant, with four petals ordered in a cross) could return to the benefit of managing type 2 diabetes.
Role of sulfate
Specifically, the researchers found that the sulfate, which is rich in vegetable oil, would be useful in inhibiting glucose production and thus it would be possible to control glycemic levels (a number linked with a particular type of food that symbolizes the food's impact on a person's blood glucose).
However, let's look more specifically at this very promising research, whose results have been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Search results
The researchers reviewed 3800 compounds present in drugs used to treat diabetic patients. One of the most effective was found to be the Sulfate, present in large quantities in broccoli. The researchers then examined 97 patients who were divided into two groups: one was given the compound, the other only one placebo (an inactive substance).
The conclusions obtained shown to be very interesting: the sulfate obtained at high concentrations from a bud extract in broccoli has been proved to be effective in decreasing glycated hemoglobin levels, which is used as a parameter to measure blood in the obese patients.
It also inhibited the production of glucose by liver cells and reduced the production of enzymes instead. Compared to placebo, the sulphate-based compound has been shown to reduce fasting blood glucose. In particular, research has shown that Sulfate has similar effects to Metformin, which is a medication used in the treatment of dialysis, but which has side effects, especially on the liver.
In short, it is only a first study that will require further research to confirm the properties and efficiency of this extract contained in broccoli, but Sulfate could thus be a viable alternative for 300 million patients with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, unlike type 1, is not cured with insulin therapy. Diet and practice of physical activity are the cores on which the treatment of this kind of diabetes is based.
If the diet and practice of physical activity are not sufficient to bring the blood glucose levels back to normal values, then the person with diabetes may prescribe oral hypoglycemic drugs that have the effect of reducing Blood Sugar.
