A study by scientists at the Institute of Food Research found that men who ate more portions of broccoli in their diet reduced their risk of getting prostate cancer.
Norwich-based researchers led by Professor Richard Mithen gave 22 men an increased portion of 400 grams of broccoli with their diet to discover how the vegetable reacted with the disease.
Results from the study revealed that broccoli prevents the prostate cancer genes from getting too aggressive and men who regularly eat the vegetable can reduce the chance of getting the disease by up to 40 per cent.
Dr Chris Parker, from the Institute of Cancer Research, told the Telegraph: "A range of dietary factors, including intake of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, have been implicated in prostate cancer progression."
With 10,000 men dying every year in the UK from the illness, Professor Mithen recommends that men eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale.
Professor Mithen, leader of the research group, said: "Eating two or three portions of cruciferous vegetable per week, should be encouraged."
The Institute of Food Research is now working on a larger scale investigation into the effects of broccoli on prostate cancer.
