Broccoli sprouts and Helicobacter pylori infection:
Helicobacter pylori infection which can cause gastritis, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and stomach cancer may be effectively treated with broccoli sprouts: In a study by Galan, MV et al, nine patients with gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection were randomly assigned to receive 7g, 14g, or 28g of broccoli sprouts twice a day for 7 days. Researchers found that seven of nine patients became stool antigen negative after a week treatment with broccoli sprouts, and six of them remained negative at day 35. Of the five patients who provided information on symptoms, two reported improvement, one no change and one reported worsening. Consumption of oral broccoli sprouts was temporally associated with eradication of H. pylori infection in three of nine patients. The study did not state which dose of the sprouts were associated with the temporary eradication. They concluded that more studies are needed to determine the optimal dose of broccoli sprouts and to determine whether medicines that suppress stomach acid production or antibiotics might improve the effectiveness. (3)
