Consumption of Cruciferous Vegetables May Help Reduce Risk of Aortic Calcification
Aortic calcification is a condition in which calcium deposits form on the aortic valve in the heart. These deposits can cause narrowing at the opening of the aortic valve, which may reduce blood flow through the aortic valve. According to a new study, higher intake of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts may help reduce the risk of aortic calcification.
Participants in the study included 684 women aged 70 years or older who took part in the Calcium Intake Fracture Outcome Study. Dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower) was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure abdominal aortic calcification.
Women with the highest intake of cruciferous vegetables (approximately 45 grams per day) were found to have a 46% lower risk of extensive aortic calcification compared to those who consumed little to no cruciferous vegetables. These findings held even after adjusting for lifestyle, diet, and cardiovascular disease risk factors.
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Western Australia. It was published online ahead of print on July 17, 2020 in the British Journal of Nutrition.