Today's Topic: Your Veggies Expire Fresh vegetables should not be kept for extended periods in the refrigerator if you want to obtain maximum health benefits according to a new research study. Broccoli contains several chemicals that prevent cancer in lab animals. Consumption of high levels of cruciferous vegetables, the cabbage family to which broccoli belongs, by people has been associated with lower cancer rates. Five groups of health-promoting phytochemicals were assayed at harvest and daily for 7 days at temperatures of 1 C (34 F) followed by three more at 15 C (59 F). These conditions were chosen to simulate cold storage and retail sales periods. Although vitamin C did not decrease much, all other chemical groups declined by 50 to 80 percent. The study was published in the May 7, 2003 edition of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Most of the decline in each chemical group occurred during the first week. However, there have been many studies on this topic and not all studies agree with the present one. Some have found decline in some, but not all, of the compounds tested here. Despite the new findings, it still makes sense to add more vegetables, including broccoli, to your diet because eating some of the health promoting phytochemicals is better than none. June 11, 2003 NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS "Nutrition news is important. We help you understand it!" DISCLAIMER: The information in Nutrition News Focus is intended only to help you understand the Nutrition News. We do not recommend any treatment, food or supplement. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician. If you read something in this newsletter that in any way contradicts what your physician tells you, TAKE YOUR PHYSICIAN'S ADVICE, NOT OURS. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.