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Features

Vegetable benefits depend
on genetics and environment

[APRIL 30, 2003]  URBANA -- We eat vegetables knowing they are good for us and, as recent research has revealed, can sometimes help in the fight against cancer. But just how beneficial a particular vegetable is may depend on what variety you are eating as well as environmental factors that affected the crop, according to Elizabeth Jeffery, University of Illinois nutritional scientist.

With USDA funding, Jeffery and fellow researchers analyzed 50 varieties of broccoli to measure their antioxidant and cancer-fighting compounds and found that broccoli varieties are not created equal. Some varieties had 10 times the vitamin E, twice the vitamin C and eight times the beta carotene. These nutrients are antioxidants, thought to protect body cells from the damaging effects of oxidation.

The broccoli varieties also ranged in their amount of glucosinolates, compounds that promote the breakdown of carcinogens and suppress the growth of cancer tumors. But genetics isn't the whole story.

"One type of glucosinolate, called glucobrassicin, which has been shown to fight breast cancer tumors, varied dramatically as a result of its environment," said Jeffery. "This compound is produced when insects or animals bite the plant," she explained. "More than 50 percent of the amount of glucobrassicin in broccoli is determined by the environment in which the crop is grown."

Jeffery was inspired to do this research when she learned the results of a study done by U of I plant geneticist John Juvik. He evaluated beta carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C levels in a number of corn varieties. He too found great variation in these antioxidant nutrients. Some varieties had 100 times the beta carotene and 25 times the vitamin E of others. Since that time, she and Juvik have worked together on enhancing the health benefits of broccoli. Other collaborators on this project include Mosbah Kushad, Matt Wallig and Barbara Klein.

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Farmers typically focus on yield and storage life characteristics, but not nutrient levels, when they choose crop varieties. Jeffery doesn't expect farmers will have to choose between high yield and high nutrient content.

"John Juvik and I both limited our research to varieties that had high yield," said Jeffery. "This means that high levels of nutrients and cancer-fighting compounds in a crop are value-added," she said. The researchers hope to convince seed providers that nutritional benefits should be included in the marketing plan for many vegetable varieties.

Jeffery believes that understanding the mechanisms that trigger the release of important compounds such as glucobrassicin may open the door to genetically regulating the amounts of health-promoting compounds that crop plants produce. "More work is needed to get to that point, but one day we might breed broccoli plants that produce more of these compounds."

The next step for Jeffery is to evaluate the impact of processing on broccoli nutrients and cancer-fighting compounds post-harvest. She has begun a study to assess how cooking and processing of broccoli impact its benefits.

[University of Illinois news release]

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Announcements

CICBC blood drives monthly at paramedics' building

Blood supplies across the nation are critical. In some areas, there is less than a one-day supply. Fortunately, thanks to the dedicated donors in central Illinois, these tremendous shortages have not yet touched our hospitals. However, the blood supply is a resource that must be renewed. Every three seconds someone needs a blood transfusion of some kind. To accommodate this constant usage, community members must continually help replenish the supply. Since a donor can donate whole blood only every eight weeks, Central Illinois Community Blood Center needs community members to come forward and help with this lifesaving effort.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center provides all of the blood and blood products for 12 area hospitals, including those in Lincoln, Hopedale and Springfield. No other organization provides blood in these hospitals. CICBC is a community-based blood center whose mission is to provide a safe and adequate blood supply for patients in local hospitals in a cost-effective manner.

When you donate blood through CICBC, you help to keep a safe and adequate blood supply for your community. You also help keep local medical costs under control.

Regularly scheduled blood drives are on the first Monday of each month (except Labor Day) at the Logan County Paramedic Association building, 1300 N. Postville Road. (See schedule.) Please help by donating blood.

CICBC also provides other services for the communities served, such as therapeutic phlebotomy at no charge for patients with hereditary hemochromatosis.

For more information, call Terry Bell at 753-1530.

[CICBC press release]

• June 2, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• July 7, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• July 15, hours and location to be announced

• Aug. 4, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• Sept. 8, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• Sept. 24, hours and location to be announced

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• Oct. 6, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• Nov. 3, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

• Nov. 12, hours and location to be announced

• Dec. 1, noon-6 p.m., at Logan County Paramedic Association building

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

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