During childhood our parents would always encourage us to eat our greens, and how we wouldn’t grow up to be big and strong without them!

The benefits of green vegetables may be bigger than we first thought however, after researchers discovered that not only can general health and development be boosted, but eating one or two cups of lightly steamed broccoli per day could act as a treatment for those suffering with asthma.

The study, led by a research team based at the University of Melbourne, showed how consuming vegetables from the cruciferous family — which also comprises of kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and bok choy — may help to reverse lung damage and protect against inflammation causing asthma symptoms. The key is the naturally occurring sulforaphane that is found in broccoli and the other green vegetables.

In Britain alone there are an estimated 5.4 million asthmatic, which includes 1.1 million children. However, the lung condition is rife in many parts of the world, with numerous factors linked to the development of it such as being exposed to tobacco smoke – especially if the mother was smoking during pregnancy – and a family history of asthma or other allergic conditions means you are more likely to get it.

Moreover, aspects of modern lifestyles are believed to play a role in an increased risk of asthma. A diet high in processed foods, living in an area with high air pollution and being raised in a home where there is a pet – especially a cat – are all believed to be contributing factors.

“In Australia, asthma affects one in ten people and it’s something that is on the rise,” said University of Melbourne honours student Nadia Mazarakis, who undertook research on the topic with supervisor Dr Tom Karagiannis.

“Laboratory tests have shown that consumption of broccoli changes the formation of the airway and may make clear breathing easier for those who suffer from asthma and allergies,” said Ms Mazarakis.
“Blockages in the airway were reversed almost entirely. Using broccoli to treat asthma may also help for people who don’t respond to traditional treatment.”

The findings come as there are increasing studies into healthcare that try to involved diet together with prescription medication treatments.

It has been stressed though that research is still in an early stage and at no point during an asthma attack or breathing difficulties should usual medical advice be disregarded. Basically, asthma inhalers are still a must!

Ms Mazarakis will be presenting the findings of the study at the 2014 Undergraduate Research Conference about Food Safety in Shanghai, China.

Cigarettes more lethal now than they were 50 years ago

Underhand tactics carried out by cigarette companies have resulted in cigarettes being both more deadly and more addictive than they were half a century ago, according to a leading charity.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids have released an incredible 42-page report titled Designed for Addiction and details how the tobacco companies have purposely engineered cigarettes to produce smoother tobacco smoke that is less harsh and more tempting to those who have never smoked – especially kids.

The charity also add that methods are being utilised to generate and sustain a nicotine addiction for smokers, which will drastically increase their risk of developing lung cancer in the future.

© tobaccofreekids.org

Their research was carried out based on an analysis of scientific studies and tobacco industry documents, in addition to the Surgeon General's report. They found smokers in the present day have a much higher chance of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer compared to back in 1964. This is despite smoking less cigarettes.

So how is this so? Well, firstly, nicotine levels have been increased and also sugars are added which is fuelling the addictive effect. The report also alleges that manufacturers add ammonia compounds, which makes it faster for nicotine to get to the brain.

And that isn’t all…Both the taste and smell of cigarettes has been modified by cigarette companies to enable more people to start smoking and continue thereafter, the report states, with levulinic acid utilised to make the smoke feel smoother and less irritating.

The report states: “It is clear that tobacco products – and cigarettes in particular – are highly engineered to expand the appeal of these products and facilitate the consumption of and addiction to nicotine, a highly addictive drug.

“Tobacco companies also know that almost all new smokers begin their addiction as children and that smoking is distasteful for new smokers, so they carefully design the product to appeal to this important market.

“The companies have spent huge sums to research the design of their products and ensure they achieve these goals, even if the impact of these changes also makes the product more dangerous.”