Can Broccoli Protect you from the Sun?

Research appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2007 Oct 30;104(44):17500-5. Epub 2007 Oct) found that the topical application of a broccoli extract may protect from UV rays. The research, performed at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that the extract, called sulforaphane, works differently from traditional sunscreens.
The researchers measured the reddening and inflammation caused by the UV rays. The broccoli extract reduced the reddening of the skin (erythema) by over 37%. In addition, the protective effect lasted long after the extract had been applied. Three days after the application of the extract, subjects still experienced a reduction in skin reddening when exposed to UV radiation.
Sulforaphane does not absorb UV rays, but helps the cells’ defense against sun damage. The extract somehow enhances the activity of proteins that are part of the cell’s defensive system. That defensive system acts to inhibit carcinogens, helps dispose of damaged, potentially cancerous cells, and suppresses the inflammatory response. The reason the broccoli extract works for several days after application is that it does not merely block UV rays, it actually enhances the health of the cells.