With summer in full swing it’s difficult to grow any produce in Bermuda right now but most local farmers still have Brussel sprouts. Looking much like little cabbages they belong to the same family they have the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most hated vegetables all over the world. In a 2008 study done by food giant Heinz, Brussel sprouts took the number one spot as the most hated vegetable of Americans. Children especially loathe them.Brussel sproutsScientific name: Brassica oleraceaFamily of: BrassicaceaeRelated to: CabbageGrown: in BermudaVitamin content: An excellent source of K and C; a very good source of folate (B9), A, B6 (pyridoxine) and B1 (thiamin); a good source of B2 (riboflavin) and E.Mineral content: A very good source of manganese and potassium; a good source of iron, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and calcium.Dietary Fibre: A very good source with about four grams in one cup of the boiled vegetable.Omega 3 fatty acids: An excellent source with 270 mg in one cup of the boiled vegetable.Omega 6 fatty acids: A good source with 123.2 mg in one cup of the boiled vegetable.Protein: There are about four grams in one cup of the boiled vegetable.Good for: There are numerous studies that have been done on Brussel sprouts mainly in relation to cancer. Brussel sprouts contain nutrients that support the body’s ability to detoxify itself, make antioxidants and protect against inflammation. Chronic imbalances in any of these three areas can increase the risk of cancer. When imbalances in all three areas exist together, cancer risk significantly increases.Brussel sprouts are most closely associated with providing protection against the following types of cancer: bladder, breast, colon, lung, prostate and ovarian.Studies have shown that glucosinolates activate detoxification in the body and in particular detoxification of cancer-causing substances. Brussel sprouts are a rich source of glucosinolates.Sulphur is also an important element in the body’s detoxification process and Brussel sprouts are sulphur rich. In fact it’s the sulphur that gives Brussel sprouts that odour people don’t like.Strong antioxidant support is needed at the Phase-1 stage of detoxification in the body. Brussel sprouts not only provide a rich supply but are also a source of many rare antioxidants. An excellent source of vitamin C, a very good source of beta-carotene and manganese, and a good source of vitamin E make Brussel sprouts especially useful here. But they also contain a wide variety of antioxidant phytonutrients, and many antioxidant flavonoids. In fact a French study on polyphenols (an antioxidant phytonutrient) found Brussel sprouts to be the highest-ranking cruciferous vegetable source of the nutrients.As if all this were not strong enough reason to eat them, there’s also evidence that substances that naturally occur in Brussel sprouts protect the DNA in our cells. This is especially important when we consider that many environmental toxins can trigger unwanted change in our DNA. Brussel sprouts can help prevent these toxin-triggered DNA changes.The high glucosinolate content of Brussel sprouts not only aids in detoxifying the body, it also protects against chronic inflammation. Vitamin K in Brussel sprouts also provides anti-inflammatory protection, as it is a direct regulator of the body’s inflammatory response. Although vegetables are not usually associated with omega three fatty acids, Brussels sprouts prove to be a good source one and a half cups provides more than one third of the US recommended daily allowance. Omega-3 fatty acids are the building blocks for one of the body’s most effective families of anti-inflammatory messaging molecules.Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for many types of cancer. Exposure to environmental toxins, overuse of pharmaceuticals, excessive stress, lack of exercise, lack of sleep and a low quality diet all increase our risk of unwanted inflammation.In its ability to protect against inflammation, Brussel sprouts also offer cardiovascular benefit. And the vegetable contains nutrients that help lower cholesterol also providing cardiovascular benefit.