The Broccoli Sprouts Breakthrough: The New Miracle Food for Cancer Prevention [Mass Market Paperback]

Deborah R. Mitchell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1998

In 1992, scientists found that broccoli sprouts contain an important cancer-fighter called "sulphoraphane". This book reveals information on this latest, most exciting weapon against cancer. It provides not only the how and why sprouts work, but facts and figures on the latest cancer research and the startling statistics linked to this horrible disease.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Taking control of your health has never been simpler--or more delicious!

Recently, an extraordinary discovery was made-one which will radically enhance and lengthen our lives by preventing a disease which now claims more than half a million lives a year. And it's not an expensive drug or an exhaustive regimen-it's a simple vegetable. Studies have shown that the young form of broccoli--broccoli sprouts--contain an amazing cancer fighting agent called "sulphoraphane," fifty times more concentrated than full-grown broccoli. Now, in this groundbreaking book, you can find out:

-How "chemoprotectors" work, and what foods to find them in -Where to purchase broccoli sprouts and how to grow your own -How much consumption is beneficial in the fight against cancer -Cooking with broccoli sprouts: delicious low-fat recipes -The latest research on cancer treatments -And much, much more!

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312968469
• ISBN-13: 978-0312968465
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A health food of growing importance, January 18, 2008

By 

Robert C. Ross (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Broccoli Sprouts Breakthrough: The New Miracle Food for Cancer Prevention (Mass Market Paperback)

It's been known for some time that broccoli contains the multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties including diindolylmethane and selenium. The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anticancer compound sulforaphane, though the benefits of broccoli is reduced if the vegetable is boiled.

The press release claimed that "three-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk," says Paul Talalay, M.D., J.J. Abel Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacology."

Now that was interesting. There is more of the good stuff in sprouts than in the mature plant. There is no reason to cook sprouts, so I wouldn't be destroying the chemical. So, I started buying cartons of the sprouts and adding them to our evening salads several times a week. We also continued to eat steamed broccoli two or three times a week.

But, broccoli sprouts aren't always available here, and they are much pricier than some of the other sprouts on offer. I found many references to this book as a good source of information on how to grow my own. In practice those references turned out to be absolutely accurate; we can now grow regular crops of broccoli sprouts. As the author writes: "They stand about two to three inches tall, are frail and spindly, fall over in the slightest breeze...." So, plant them very very close together, about 200 seeds in a three inch square tray.

It pays to remain cynical, even if you enjoy eating a low calorie food that tastes good and may help your body fight cancer. Before writing this Review, I asked John Hopkins for the current status of their research results.

I received a very kind response indicating that Hopkins still believes the press release reports good science. The also sent me information on other benefits in the fight against UV damage to skin and skin blistering generally. They also referred me to a great resource, the Johns Hopkins Medical Desk Reference. [Amazon's policy against publishing links prevents me from citing the sources, but the John Hopkins website is easy to navigate.]

So, I can still recommend this book in good conscience. Broccoli sprouts have a bite something similar to uncooked cabbage, and spice up a mixed green salad in quite a pleasant way. Unless you dislike the taste of cabbage, of course. Then you may decide to just choke them down anyway for the food benefits.

Robert C. Ross 2008