Better
Living Staff Writer
According
to human trials led by the Institute of Food Research, including the new
broccoli variety Beneforte reduces blood LDL-cholesterol levels by around 6%.
The
broccoli was bred to contain two to three times more of the naturally occurring
compound glucoraphanin. In short, glucoraphanin helps rebalance metabolism away
from the production of LDL cholesterol by helping our bodies retune cellular
metabolism.
In two
independent studies, 130 volunteers were given 400 grams (about 14 ounces) of
the high glucoraphanin broccoli per week to include in their normal diet. After
12 weeks, they saw the levels of LDL-cholesterol in their blood drop by an
average of about 6%. Elevated LDL-cholesterol is a risk factor for heart
disease. Even a 1% reduction in LDL-cholesterol has been associated with a 1-2%
reduction in risk for coronary artery disease.
The
downside? Monsanto is behind the US distribution of Beneforte. The American
consumer has a shaky history with Monsanto. Monsanto is behind Agent Orange,
Roundup, saccharin, and bovine growth hormone. All of these were developed to
do positive things, but we learned years or even decades later that they could
be at the root of many serious health issues.
However,
Monsanto did not develop Beneforte. And
Beneforte is not a genetically modified vegetable. It was developed by
traditional breeding techniques at IFR’s partners, the John Innes Centre and
the University of East Anglia, and Seminis Vegetable Seeds Inc. But Monsanto is
bagging it and distributing it.
This
new broccoli variety sounds like a really wonderful thing, but will US
consumers be able to put their mistrust of Monsanto aside long enough for
Beneforte to succeed?
For
more ideas on how to lower your cholesterol, please contact Better Living at
(734) 747-0123.
https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/busting-monsantos-better-broccoli
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