British scientists develop superbroccoli

Scientists at the Institute of Food Research (IFR) and John Innes Centre in the UK have developed a heart disease and cancer-fighting broccoli.

The new broccoli, known as Beneforte, looks the same as natural broccoli but contains higher levels of health-giving nutrient glucoraphanin.

Glucoraphanin is converted in the gut into the bioactive compound sulphoraphane, which circulates in the bloodstream, leading to beneficial effects such as reduced chronic inflammation, cancer inhibition and boosting of the body’s antioxidants.

The broccoli was developed using conventional breeding techniques rather than genetic engineering, and the research began after a wild broccoli variety was identified in 1983 with naturally high levels of glucoraphanin.

Beneforte will be sold at Marks & Spencer stores this month and will be launched at other supermarkets next year.

UK science minister David Willetts said that this excellent work has led to the development of a highly commercial food product that will be both grown and sold in the UK, giving a real boost to agriculture, health and the economy.