Validating heart health benefits of new and improved broccoli variety

An innovative broccoli product with a health claim would enable increased consumption of vegetables and improve public health. Broccoli naturally accumulates significant amounts of the phytonutrient glucoraphanin (GR), the dietary source of sulforaphane implicated in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation. New commercial broccoli varieties, developed with conventional breeding and derived from UK public research, with improved levels of GR pave the way for a commonly consumed vegetable providing health benefits to UK consumers. This proposal will examine the cardiovascular health benefits of a new GR (Beneforté®) broccoli in comparison to standard broccoli. Proof-of-concept has been obtained with a High GR prototype; this study will provide appropriately powered statistical evidence of health benefit to enable accredited claims and value creation for consumers.