The University of Warwick researcher published a study in the Diabetes which concludes that a compound called “Sulforaphane” found in broccoli and other vegetables which have protective benefits for blood vessel damage caused by high glucose levels in Diabetics.

Diabetics have a 5 time increased risk for suffering a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular disease mostly because of the damaged blood vessels. Other researchers have found a reduced risk of heart attacks with brassica vegetables. Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kai-lan, Brussels sprouts are some of the more common vegetables in the brassica vegetables.

The researchers believe that the sulforaphane causes a protein called nrf2 to become activated which then protects cells and tissues from incurring damage because it in turns activates protective antioxidants and detoxifying enzymes.