Veggies to protect the skin?

A recent study conducted at Johns Hopkins University showed initial findings that broccoli extract may serve as an added protector of the skin from certain types of cancer and from harmful UV radiation. The active ingredients in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have been shown to act as powerful anti-carcinogens inside the body.

What does this mean?
These vegetables help protect the body against damaging free radical which are one of the main contributors to cancer causing mutations in cells. The test group that was fed the extract showed significantly lower rates of tumors and UV damage.

Along with these findings it has already been established that cruciferous vegetables like broccoli help to lower the rates of colon cancer. This benefit should also be another reason to increase your vegetable intake.

How can I benefits from this?
Here are a few of the cruciferous vegetables to add to your diet:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Bok Choy
• Kale
• Turnip

They can be prepared any way you like. The idea is to have a few servings of these a week.

What's next?

The next question that should be addressed regarding skin cancer is: if cruiferous vegetable are beneficial for the skin when taken internally how much better might they be if they were applied topically in a cream or lotion form as a preventative approach.