Miracle Drugs Broccoli consumption can prolong your life

Some vegetables seem to slow down the aging process
Vegetables are healthy. Every kid knows that, and certainly every adult. But that certain foods can prolong life is new. Researchers found that regular consumption of broccoli plays an important role in human energy metabolism. In addition, consumption of broccoli seems to make people live healthier and reduce the signs of aging.

Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, have now discovered in an investigation that broccoli plays an important role in energy metabolism and can reduce signs of age. That's why we all should eat more broccoli. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Cell Metabolism".

Surely man has already heard that vegetables are healthy. But researchers now found that some types of vegetables even reduce the aging process. Broccoli is one of these so-called fountain of youth. (Image: Anatoly Repin / fotolia.com)

Loss of power in the body's energy supply chain drives the aging process
Much of human health depends on how well the body produces and uses energy. For unknown reasons, the ability of cells to produce energy decreases with age, explain the experts. For this reason, physicians and researchers believe that the steady loss of power in the body's energy supply chain is a major driver of the aging process.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is important for energy metabolism
The physicians found in their study that supplementing the diet of healthy mice with a natural compound called NMN can compensate for this loss of energy production. This reduces typical signs of aging, such as weight gain, loss of insulin sensitivity, and decreased physical activity, say the researchers. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is an enzyme in broccoli that plays an important role in energy metabolism.

Researchers slow down the physiological decline
We have discovered a way to slow down the natural physiological decline in mice, the experts explain. This means that older mice have metabolism levels and energy levels that are similar to those of younger mice, says author Professor Shin-ichiro Imai. Because human cells rely on this same energy production process, the method could reduce the signs of aging in humans as well.

Physicians examine three groups of experimental animals
For the study, the researchers examined three groups of healthy male mice. From the age of five months, one group received a high dose of NMN in their drinking water. Another group received a low dose of NMN drinking water and the third group served as a control group, explain the physicians. The researchers compared several aspects of physiology between the different groups. This started at the age of five months, after which the experts examined the mice every three months. The studies continued until the mice reached 17 months of age. Typical laboratory mice live about two years, the scientists add.

Effects of NMN in mice:
Less than three minutes after intake via the drinking water, the compound already appeared in the bloodstream. The metabolism of the rodents was increased by the intake, the age-related weight gain lowered, the eyesight and blood sugar levels are improved, explain the doctors. Although the study did not track how long the furry test animals survived, the improvements produced by NMN suggest that increases in longevity can be achieved, the authors add.

NMN is quickly absorbed and converted by the body
The researchers also found that NMN in blood is rapidly converted into NAD in multiple tissues. The data from the investigation show that the NMN absorption happens very fast. We wanted to make sure NMN in drinking water actually gets into the bloodstream and into the tissues, the scientists explain.

Which vegetables except broccoli also contains NMN?
The result is a sign that all people should consume broccoli more often in the future. But the process found does not just refer exclusively to broccoli. Also edamame (beans), cucumbers, avocado and cabbage contain the fountain of youth NMN. However, the beneficial effects of NMN were only seen in older mice. When we gave NMN to the young mice, they did not turn into healthier young mice, explains co-author Professor Jun Yoshino. Further studies are now needed to better understand the benefits of NMN. In the meantime, you can start by eating broccoli regularly. (As)