Meat Free Monday

July 18, 2011 by Editor

Let's talk broccoli

I have been discovering some beautiful foodie blogs lately and one in particular has caught my eye with a fab recipe for Chargrilled Broccoli and Beans with Chilli, Garlic and Sweet Soy Rice Noodles. This dish simply transforms the humble broccoli, a vegetable which we now know as anti-cancer properties.

On a side note, I got frustrated and angry when I did a quick search on google, looking again for the name of the anti-cancer compound –sulforaphane –found in broccoli and came across a website which made ridiculous claims erroneously deduced from recent lab-based research into this compound. It stated that “Regardless of the FDA’s opinions, superfoods do CURE cancer. Broccoli REVERSES breast cancer.” I know, I know … there is an abundance of misinformation and downright dangerous information on the web, and this is just one example of misinterpreting the latest research news (if you are interested in learning more about how to interpret the science behind the sensationalist headlines, check out this post).

For the record, sulforaphane, a natural compound found in broccoli does appear to have some anti-cancer properties. However, this research is in the very early stages, and there are no immediate implications for breast cancer treatment or prevention. Most importantly, it cannot be assumed that eating broccoli is comparable to applying the sulforaphane compound directly to cancer cells under controlled conditions. Ok now that I have that off my lop-sided chest, let’s get back to the recipe.

I couldn’t do the recipe justice by reprinting it – you really should take a look at this beautifully photographed blog – so check out the recipe here.

Category : Healthy Recipes, Recipe

Tags : broccoli, Cancer, cancer-fighting foods, FDA approved, food blogs, sulforaphane, superfoods

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12 thoughts on “Meat Free Monday”

Josie Arnold on July 18, 2011 at 10:04 am said:

Ben Goldacre’s book Bad Science is great in this regard.

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Amy L. on July 18, 2011 at 10:07 am said:

This recipe sounds wonderful and regardless of it’s anti-cancer properties, it is still very worthwhile adding broccoli to your diet – thanks for the reminder!

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sandra on July 18, 2011 at 10:10 am said:

Enjoyed your rant! This is one of my pet peeves too – headlines often mislead people into thinking a food or vitamin has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to prevent cancer when the reality is that it has not even been tested on humans!

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alan on July 18, 2011 at 10:12 am said:

To the best of my knowledge this study has not been done on humans yet so that ridiculous statement you mention is way off the mark. Having said that, there is certainly no harm in adding broccoli to your diet for all its many great health benefits.

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Bruce on July 18, 2011 at 10:14 am said:

Thanks to blogs like yours Marie, I’ve become very skeptical lately of lots of science and medicine stories that predict cancer breakthroughs. It is important that we have a source of reliable information online – more of our doctors should be online interpreting the data for us IMO

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foodblogandthedog on July 18, 2011 at 11:05 am said:

Thanks so much for featuring my broccoli recipe, I really hope you try it , it’s one of our favourites! As a fellow breast cancer survivor, I’m with you on the nightmare of having to sift through and route out the truth in a lot of claims,in conventional & alternative medicines. I was diagnosed 2 years ago aged 36 and owe my swift recovery to a combination of fantastic support from my other half, conventional treatment, alternative medicines and diet. Nice to “meet” you!

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Editor on July 18, 2011 at 12:09 pm said:

Didn’t know you were a bc survivor when I discovered your blog Natalie…I knew there was a reason I was drawn to it!

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Stacey on July 18, 2011 at 12:06 pm said:

I love exactly this sort of thing, a grilled broccoli recipe and a rant. Thanh you, Marie, for both

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Editor on July 18, 2011 at 12:08 pm said:

LOL 🙂

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Jan Hasak on July 18, 2011 at 3:46 pm said:

Thank you kindly for this recipe, which promises to be wickedly delightful to people dealing with cancer. Wicked to the cancer cells and delightful to our taste buds. Broccoli is one of my favorite veggies.
X Jan

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Jen W on July 20, 2011 at 6:24 pm said:

I wanted to get input on what you thought about the findings in this study about phytoestrogen and the consumption of soy.

http://www.dailyrx.com/news-article/breast-cancer-survivors-benefit-dietary-soy-products-13866.html
The study makes point that the type and form consumed is very relative as to safety of its consumption for those with a hormone sensitive cancers diagnosis.

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Peg Mulligan on July 22, 2011 at 2:49 am said:

Hi Marie,

Thanks for sharing a great recipe. Have you by any chance tried any recipes from Sheryl Crow’s new cookbook with Chuck White, “If It Makes You Healthy: More Than 100 Delicious Recipes Inspired by the Seasons”? The sample chapter looked well-done…I’m thinking of buying the book.

Wonderful to see you on Google+, btw. Another online adventure, together…:-)

~Peg

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