This site is inspired by the work of David Servan-Schreiber and scientific literature on nutrition and cancer prevention. It does not replace medical advice and does not constitute a treatment.

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Broccoli & cruciferous vegetables

Strong evidence

Active compounds

SulforaphaneIndole-3-carbinolGlucosinolates

Cancers studied in the literature

breastuterusprostatecolonlung

Anti-cancer actions

  • ✦Detoxifies chemical carcinogens
  • ✦Blocks dangerous hormones (excess estrogens)
  • ✦Inhibits cancer cell growth
  • ✦Helps control angiogenesis

How to prepare it

Cook lightly by steaming (do not boil — destroys glucosinolates). Includes: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, bok choy.

Recommended dosage

5 servings per week minimum. Raw or briefly steamed.

⚗️ Food synergies

These foods potentiate the effects of Broccoli & cruciferous vegetables

🟡Turmeric🧄Garlic🍅Tomatoes

🍳 Recipes with Broccoli & cruciferous vegetables

🥣Dr. Béliveau's Vegetable Cocktail🥗Kale, apple, walnut and turmeric salad🥣Broccoli, garlic and thyme soup

Scientific sources

  • —Béliveau study — Molecular Medicine Laboratory, UQAM
  • —Boivin D et al. — Food Chemistry 112:374-380 (2009)

🔬 Studies from Dr. Béliveau's laboratory

All publications →
2011Cancer Microenvironment 4: 133-139Strong evidence

Colorectal cancer prevention through dietary and lifestyle modifications

Gingras D, Beliveau R

A comprehensive review of colorectal cancer prevention through diet: cruciferous vegetables, berries and green tea act on the tumor microenvironment to prevent progression.

Colorectal prevention by remodeling the tumor microenvironment

Source: richardbeliveau.orgRead article
2009Food ChemistryStrong evidence

Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of common vegetables: A comparative study

Boivin D, Lamy S, Lord-Dufour S, Jackson J, Beaulieu E, Côté M, Moghrabi A, Barrette S, Gingras D, Béliveau R

A comparative study: garlic, leek and onions show the strongest antiproliferative activity among common vegetables — confirming their central role in cancer prevention.

Inhibition of cell proliferation, antioxidant activity

Source: richardbeliveau.orgRead article
2008Molecular Nutrition and Food Research  52(6):692-700

The diet-derived sulforaphane inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-9-activated human brain microvascular endothelial cell migration and tubulogenesis

Annabi B., Rojas-Sutterlin S., Laroche M., Lachambre MP., Moumdjian R. & Béliveau R.

Study published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 52(6):692-700 on the activity of broccoli in the context of brain.

See original publication

Source: richardbeliveau.orgRead article
2007Canadian Family PhysicianStrong evidence

The role of nutrition in cancer prevention

Béliveau R and Gingras D

A review article for family physicians: diet can reduce cancer risk by up to 35% thanks to specific phytochemical compounds.

Overview of dietary anti-cancer mechanisms

Source: richardbeliveau.orgRead article