Broccoli Sunscreen Anyone?

Since it’s summer and sun worshipping is still in vogue, I thought I’d mention this new use for broccoli. It really applies to broccoli sprouts but it’s still an interesting piece of anti aging research that has implications for preventing sun damaged skin down the line.

Broccoli contains sulforaphane, yet another powerful antioxidant that has been proven to prevent stomach and breast cancers. Well now broccoli sprout extract has been found to prevent skin cancer as well, that is, when it is used as a broccoli sunscreen lotion.

Three groups of hairless mice were exposed to UV rays that were equivalent to the amount of UV radiation received while sunbathing twice weekly.

One group had the broccoli extract liberally applied, the second had a low dose application, and the third control group had nothing applied to its skin. 100% of the mice in the control group developed skin cancer tumors. In the group with the liberally applied “broccoli sunscreen” there was a significant reduction in skin cancer tumors. There was even a reduction in the number of tumors in the low dose application group, indicating that the in the broccoli was doing its job.

Broccoli sunscreen lotion: Coming soon to a dermatologist near you! Uh, maybe.