Fancy broccoli sprouts or how to get caffeine out of the body
WHAT SCIENTISTS HAVE FOUND ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BROCCOLI AND CAFFEINE
A group of scientists published a studyin the journal Carcinogenesis looking at the effect of vegetables on human metabolism. They also studied the effect of adding broccoli to a regular diet. The result showed that eating broccoli has a significant effect on caffeine metabolism.
Other research specifically looked at the effect of supplementing the diet with broccoli on CYP1A2 activities. The enzyme responsible for, among other things, the metabolism of caffeine. The results of these measurements confirmed the original idea that broccoli induces CYP1A2 activity.
WHAT IS CYP1A2
Thefull name Cytochrome P450 1A2 abbreviated as CYP1A2 is, in short, an enzyme that helps the body get rid of various substances. It belongs to the Cytochrome P450 family aka CYP. These enzymes not only take care of the aforementioned excretion of learned compounds, but are important for the formation or breakdown of hormones.
Each human body contains specific genetic information, i.e. a gene that encodes a particular enzyme. It therefore depends on our genes how our enzymes will eventually look like, i.e. function. According to this genetic information, we are generally divided (in relation to coffee) into two groups. Slow or fast caffeine metabolizers.
SLOW AND FAST CAFFEINE METABOLISERS
With the fast caffeine metaboliser gene, we can go out for coffee more often without experiencing the unwanted effects of too much caffeine. We can simply handle more or more frequent coffee intake. Unfortunately, people genetically set as slow caffeine metabolizers have to make do with, for example, one morning espresso.
If we take a higher dose of caffeine than we can metabolize, we can become jittery or unfocused. We also put our cardiovascular system at risk, as caffeine constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure .
Last but not least, when drinking coffee, we have to take into account the time that caffeine stays in our body. Itis usually quoted at around 4 to 6 hours, but the time it takes to process caffeine is also controlled by the gene and therefore the CYP1A2 enzyme. Coffee in the late evening has a negative impact on sleep quality.
THE DETOXIFYING POWER OF LIVER ENZYMES
The liver is an important detoxifying organ of our body. It is here that we would find the CYP1A2 enzyme. Approximately 2 liters of blood flow in the liver per minute and have incredible self-healing abilities. The blood flowing through the liver is filtered here and the substances obtained from it are sorted into those that are stored in the body, remain in the blood or are eliminated from the body.
It serves as a reservoir of certain vitamins and bileis formed here , which then travels to the gallbladder and takes care of the processes of fat metabolism. Once we take toxic substances into our body, whether from food, cosmetics or otherwise from the environment around us, the liver can rid us of these harmful substances.
Detoxification works in two phases. First, complex toxins are converted into less harmful ones. In the second phase, these toxins are then sent out of the body through urine or bile leading to the intestines. In this regard, the liver uses the ability of the CYP1A2 enzyme to process caffeine.
THE LIVER BENEFITS FROM BROCCOLI
Broccoli is often talked about in connection with healthy eating and lifestyle in general. In fact, it is such a mascot for healthy living just by its green colour. Its positive effects on human health have already been confirmed many times.
Cruciferous vegetables, of which crisp broccoli is the main representative, have a significant effect on the health of our liver. Including broccoli in our regular diet helps with increasing the liver's ability to rid the body of heavy metals and cancer-causing substances, with detoxification and, relatedly, with getting rid of caffeine.
EATING BROCCOLI SPROUTS
You can enhance the health benefits of eating broccoli sprouts by eating it smart. This means that broccoli is best enjoyed raw, perhaps in your favourite smoothie, or steamed. It's important not to cook broccoli at high temperatures, which are destructive to the positive components of broccoli.
A great way to enjoy the benefits of broccoli is by eating broccoli sprouts. In this form, they contain up to 10 times more glucoraphanin than broccoli. Glucoraphanin is a substance that converts into sulforaphane, which we use to help the liver detoxify. It is also an antioxidant that protects the body from the damaging effects of free radicals.
So you can have a handful of broccoli sprouts for breakfast in the morning. You can add them to salads or sprinkle them on bread with spread. Eating them in this way will not only be spectacular to look at, but also effective for your health. By having such a breakfast , you will boost your liver function and enzymes, which will make your daily coffee more digestible for your body.
HOW TO MAKE BROCCOLI SPROUTS
Broccoli sprouts are easy to grow at home, perhaps in your kitchen. Start by buying your seeds. Since you'll want to consume sprouts and not grown broccoli, choose seeds that are designed to sprout without pesticides.
Let the seeds "start" first bysoaking them in water for 8 to 10 hours. Transfer the soaked seeds to a germination tray or a piece of cotton wool. After 3 - 6 days you can enjoy fresh broccoli sprouts. During the growing period, irrigate them with water 2- 3 times a day.
Make sure that the seeds do not stand in the water. They could catch mould. You don't need any soil to grow broccoli sprouts just a bright place, enough moisture and room temperature. Rinse the sprouts before eating them. Then store the sprouts in a clean sealed container in the fridge where they will keep for at least a week.