Brussels Sprout is a good source of vitamins, fibers and phyto-chemicals.
Many researches have been done on its effect on cancer.

Brussels Sprouts were named after the capital of Belgium where it is
thought that they were first cultivated. They are also one of the few
vegetables to have originated in northern Europe. They were first
introduced to France and England in the nineteenth century where they
continue to be a popular food. French settlers who settled in Louisiana
introduced them to America. Today, most Brussels sprouts are grown in
California. They are available all year round, but their peak-growing season
is in autumn through early spring.

Brussels sprouts look like miniature heads of cabbage. They are similar to
cabbage in taste, but they are slightly milder in flavor and denser in
texture. Brussels sprouts and cabbage are members of the cruciferous
vegetable family. These vegetables contain significant amounts of the
antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene (vitamin A), and nitrogen
compounds called indoles which may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
They are also a good source of vegetable protein, because 31% of the
calories come from protein.

How To Select
Choose firm compact sprouts that are bright green in color. Fresh Brussels
sprouts should be displayed chilled. If they are kept at room temperature,
their leaves will turn yellow quickly. Yellow or wilted leaves are signs of age
or mishandling. Old sprouts also have a strong, cabbage-like odor. It is
best to choose sprouts individually from bulk displays rather than pint or
quart tubs. Choose small, firm, compact sprouts with unblemished leaves.
Select sprouts that are similar in size. This will allow them to cook more
evenly. Avoid sprouts that are puffy or soft.

Storage
Do not wash or trim sprouts before storing them, but yellow or wilted outer
leaves may be remove. If you have purchased sprouts that have been
packaged in a cellophane-covered container, take off wrapping, examine
them, remove any that are in bad condition, return them to container, re-
cover with cellophane, and refrigerate. If the sprouts are not fresh, return
them to the store. Place loose sprouts in perforated plastic bag. Fresh
sprouts will keep for 3–5 days.

Health Benefits of Brussels Sprout - cancer prevention

Epidemiologic studies suggest that high dietary intake of Brassica
vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, protects
against tumorigenesis in multiple organs. [2]

French researchers used the Folin-Ciocalteu method and determined that
artichokes, parsley, and brussels sprouts have the highest polyphenol
concentration among the vegetable that they tested. [>250 mg of gallic
acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g fresh edible portion] [1]

3,3'-Diindolylmethane - an anti-cancer chemical.
3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a natural autolytic product in plants of the
Brassica genus, including broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts,
exhibits promising cancer protective activities, especially against mammary
neoplasia in animal models. Researchers observed that 3,3'-
Diindolylmethane induced a G(1) cell-cycle arrest and strong induction of
cell-cycle inhibitor p21 expression and promoter activity in both estrogen-
responsive and -independent breast cancer cell lines. Researchers further
showed that DIM up-regulates the expression of interferon gamma
(IFNgamma) in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This novel effect may
contribute to the anticancer effects of DIM because IFNgamma plays an
important role in preventing the development of primary and transplanted
tumors. [3]

French researchers studied the role of cruciferous vegetables in lung
cancer after stratifying by GSTM1 and GSTT1 status, two genes implicated
in the elimination of isothiocyanates, the likely chemopreventative
compound. In 2141 cases and 2168 controls, weekly consumption of
cruciferous vegetables protected against lung cancer in those who were
GSTM1 null (odds ratio=0.67), GSTT1 null (0.63), or both (0.28). No
protective effect was seen in people who were both GSTM1 and GSTT1
positive (0.88). Similar protective results were noted for consumption of
cabbage and a combination of broccoli and brussels sprouts. These data
provide strong evidence for a substantial benefit of protective effect of
cruciferous vegetable consumption on lung cancer. [4]

Sulforaphane - an anti-cancer chemical.
Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts
contain sulforaphane-an isothiocyanate. Preclinical animal models have
shown that sulforaphane and other isothiocyanates may have benefits of
prostate cancer risk lowering. Researchers from University of Minnesota,
Austin showed that sulforaphane exposure for 24 h or longer significantly
decreased the number of viable DU145 human prostate cancer cells in a
dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of asymptotically equal to 10
microM. The decreased cell number was associated with G2/M phase arrest
and apoptotic cell death. [5]

Indole-3-carbinol - anti-cancer chemical.
Cruciferae, particularly the genus Brassica (cabbage, radishes, cauliflower,
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and daikon) produce Indole-3-carbinol. [6]

Under acidic conditions, Indole-3-carbinol is converted to a series of
oligomeric products (among which 3,3'-diindolylmethane is a major
component) thought to be responsible for its biological effects in vivo. In
vitro, Indole-3-carbinol has been shown to suppress the proliferation of
various tumor cells including breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial
cancer, colon cancer, and leukemic cells; induce G1/S arrest of the cell
cycle, and induce apoptosis. [6]

In vivo, researchers also found Indole-3-carbinol to be a potent
chemopreventive agent for hormonal-dependent cancers such as breast
and cervical cancer. These benefits are mediated through its ability to
induce apoptosis, inhibit DNA-carcinogen adduct formation, and suppress
free-radical production, stimulate 2-hydroxylation of estradiol, inhibit
invasion and angiogenesis. [6]

Indole-3-carbinol may also protect liver.
Numerous studies have indicated that Indole-3-carbinol has a strong
hepatoprotective activity against various carcinogens. Initial clinical trials in
women have shown that Indole-3-carbinol is a promising agent against
breast and cervical cancers. [6]

Drug Interaction
Brassica can alter P450 activities, influence the metabolism of some drugs.

Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts
Being a good source of vitamins, fibers and various phyto-nutrients,
Brussels sprouts should benefit many other health conditions.
Unfortunately, researchers focus on its potent effects on cancers.

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Reference: [1] Brat P, et al, Daily polyphenol intake in france from fruit and
vegetables. J Nutr. 2006 Sep;136(9):2368-73. [2] Gong Y, et al, 3,3'-
Diindolylmethane is a novel mitochondrial H(+)-ATP synthase inhibitor that can
induce p21(Cip1/Waf1) expression by induction of oxidative stress in human breast
cancer cells. Cancer Res. 2006 May 1;66(9):4880-7. [3] Riby JE, et al, Activation and
potentiation of interferon-gamma signaling by 3,3'-diindolylmethane in MCF-7
breast cancer cells. Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Feb;69(2):430-9. Epub 2005 Nov 2. [4]
Brennan P, et al, Effect of cruciferous vegetables on lung cancer in patients stratified
by genetic status: a mendelian randomisation approach.  Lancet. 2005 Oct 29-Nov 4;
366(9496):1558-60. [6] Cho SD, et al, Involvement of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in
G2/M arrest and caspase-mediated apoptosis induced by sulforaphane in DU145
prostate cancer cells. Nutr Cancer. 2005;52(2):213-24. [6] Aggarwal BB, et al,
Molecular targets and anticancer potential of indole-3-carbinol and its derivatives.
Cell Cycle. 2005 Sep;4(9):1201-15. Epub 2005 Sep 6. [7] Petersen KU. Review
article: omeprazole and the cytochrome P450 system. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1995
Feb;9(1):1-9.
BRUSSELS SPROUT BENEFITS AND
NUTRITIONAL VALUES