New research in the US suggests that broccoli could be just as effective at protecting skin from the sun’s harmful rays as sun screen.

Rubbing broccoli directly into the skin could also reduce the chance of a person developing skin cancer the study suggests.  The team believe the vegetable contains a compound called sulforaphane which could help prevent skin cancer and triggers chemoprotective genes which protect healthy tissue from the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs.

Dr Sally Dickinson, research assistant, said: “Sulforaphane may be an excellent candidate for use in the prevention of skin cancer caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays.  It is the kind of compound that has so many incredible theoretical applications if the dosage is measured correctly.  We already know it is very effective in blocking sunburns and we have seen cases where it can induce protective enzymes in the skin.”