Cabbage, broccoli and co.: the secret recipe for healthy organs
Eating cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli activates receptors in our blood vessels, stabilizes the vascular system and can therefore protect organs from damage. These findings come from studies by Wiggins et al. and Major et al., among others, to which the team led by Prof. Dr. Jens Wippermann, Director of the University Clinic for Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Magdeburg, refers in a new article (Research Highlight) in the Nature journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. The article summarizes these research results and explains the role that cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli play in our health.
The research investigates how the vascular endothelium - the cell layer that lines our blood vessels - plays a key role in protecting our vital organs such as the intestines and lungs.The focus is particularly on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which is present on these cells.This receptor can be activated by certain nutrients, especially those from cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. The studies showed that this activation helps to stabilize the vascular system and protect the organs from damage, both in the normal state and during inflammation and infection.
These findings are particularly relevant for people of all ages, but especially for those suffering from chronic diseases or infections. The scientist and co-author of the article PD. Dr. Priya Veluswamy emphasizes: “These research results highlight once again how important it is to pay attention to our diet. Cruciferous vegetables in particular can play an important role in supporting our vascular health and thus protecting our organs. The findings offer exciting prospects for the development of new therapeutic approaches.”
Photo: The team of authors from the University Clinic for Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery (from left): Clinic Director Prof. Dr. med. Jens Wippermann, Privatdozent Dr. rer. nat. Priya Veluswamy, Privatdozent Dr. med. Max Wacker.
Photographer: Melitta Schubert
Research-Highlight
Written by recognized experts, scientific journals such as the renowned journal Nature regularly publish articles to recognize groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs from various disciplines as “Research Highlights”.
Original publication
Feeding the vasculature with cruciferous vegetables: a secret for organ protection, Priya Veluswamy, Jens Wippermann and Max Wacker, in: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (2024) 9:36; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01747-x
Contact
Prof. Dr. Jens Wippermann, Director of the University Clinic for Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Tel: +49-391-67-14100,