Teaming broccoli with sprouts 'doubles their anti-cancer powers'

Broccoli and broccoli sprouts can be teamed up to boost their cancer-preventing abilities, a new study has suggested.

The research, compiled by scientists at the University of Illinois, also revealed the way the vegetable is cooked can affect how potent its powers are.

Elizabeth Jeffery, professor of nutrition at the academic institution, advised people not to overcook it as this destroys the enzyme myrosinase that is central to the formation of sulforaphane - the component that stops cancer.

According to Ms Jeffery, adding broccoli sprouts can enhance the effects of broccoli as they contain myrosinase "in abundance".

Co-author of the experiment Jenna Cramer said: "To increase the vegetable's benefits, you could sprinkle broccoli sprouts on your broccoli or make a mustard sauce to serve with broccoli."

This comes just days after researchers posted a report in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, which claimed substances in broccoli appear to identify and block a defective gene associated with cancer.