Broccoli, cabbage, kale and cauliflower, starting today we have one more reason to eat these vegetables! We already know that these vegetables provide valuable substances for the fight against tumors, inflammation and free radical damage. And now it emerges that vegetables of the cruciferous family protect the lungs from infections such as the flu and preserve their functionality. The research is very recent and was published in the prestigious journal Nature by a group of scientists from the Francis Crick Institute in London (Major et al, Nature, 2023).
Nutrition and healthWhat we eat affects not only the health of our gut but also that of other organs, such as the liver, the brain and, of course, the lungs. The research we are talking about today is further proof of this since it clearly demonstrates that some substances contained in broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower support the lungs’ defenses, providing one more tool against the flu but also against COVID 19. But let’s try to understand better.What we eat can protect the lungsThe research was carried out in the laboratory on a population of mice. Scientists started from the consideration that there is a protein in our bodies, as in that of mice, called AHR. AHR is found on barriers that serve to protect an organ, such as the gut and, indeed, the lungs. The researchers observed that in mice, once infected with the flu virus, the AHR protein was reduced. At the same time, the lung protective barrier, which has the task of allowing gaseous exchanges and blocking pollution, viruses and bacteria, resulted weakened. As a consequence, traces of red blood cells and leukocytes could be found in the pulmonary alveoli, hindering the vital functionality of gaseous exchanges, namely the passage of oxygen from the alveoli to the blood and of carbon dioxide from the blood to the alveoli. Not only that, the scientists observed that the affected mice tended to lose weight and be more at risk of bacterial infections. Instead, the intake of foods such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli allowed to preserve and activate AHR. In this way, despite the viral infection, AHR was not reduced, the pulmonary barrier remained healthy, and fewer leukocytes and red blood cells were observed in the alveoli. Not only that, the mice didn’t even show weight loss and were more resistant to any bacterial infections resulting from the flu.
ConclusionsThe message that emerges from this study is that it is important not to miss out on cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and kale, not only to counteract inflammation and cellular degeneration, but also to keep the lungs healthy and well functioning and reduce the effects of a possible viral infection such as the flu. The scientists who authored the study also point out that the same harmful effect at the level of the AHR protein has been observed as a result of other viral infections, such as COVID 19. More work will need to be done to verify the effects of vegetables of the cruciferous family even in case of infection with COVID 19 and other diseases, but the same action can be expected. Finally, another message that emerges from the research is that it is important not to miss out on cauliflower and broccoli even when you are already ill. This is because the flu deteriorates the lung barrier. Instead, making sure substances that we know protect and activate AHR, which supports the barrier, it’s definitely a good choice. Obviously, this does not mean that a portion of broccoli is able to cure every ailment, prevention is important, as is contacting your doctor for adequate treatment, but surely these vegetables are more valid allies you can count on.
