Eating cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, collard greens and Brussels sprouts, can increase your body’s ability to fight infection and cancer, UCLA researchers say. A chemical in these foods, sulforaphane, can stimulate a wide range of antioxidant defense pathways and may be able to interfere with the age-related decline in immune function, according study director, Andrew Nel, Ph.D. Keeping the immune system healthy also seems to help reduce inflammation, a root cause of many age-related problems, including heart disease, degenerative joint disease and diabetes.

The best way to take advantage of all these foods have to offer: eat them raw, lightly steamed or in a quick stir-fry. Cooking reduces sulforaphane levels.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Maintaining robust immunity is critically important to living a long, healthy life. Try to include one serving a day of sulforaphane-rich cruciferous vegetables in your diet whenever possible to keep your immune system functioning well as you age.

QUICK TIP: Eating lots of cruciferous vegetables can reduce your odds of developing bladder cancer. Learn More

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Written exclusively for Stop Aging Now, the authority on anti-aging research, anti-aging nutrition, and anti-aging supplements.