Lead scientist on the new research, Professor Richard Mithen of the People who gain less protection from cancer by eating broccoli may be able to compensate for the difference in their genetic make-up by eating 'super broccoli', a variety with higher levels of the active plant chemical sulforaphane, or by eating larger portions.

Sulforaphane is the main isothiocyanate derived from broccoli. Super broccoli ™ contains 3.4 times more sulforaphane than standard varieties. It has been developed by traditional plant breeding methods.

Fifty per cent of the population lack the GSTM1 gene. While these people may gain less cancer protection from consuming broccoli, it is likely that they gain more cancer protection from eating other types of crucifers, such as cabbages and Chinese cabbage. So the best advice is to eat a mixture of crucifers.

This research was funded by IFR ™s Core Strategic Grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and by the University of Nottingham and Seminis Inc. It is part of ongoing research at IFR to identify the optimal levels of a range of food compounds for human health.

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