Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts contain a chemical that is helpful in fighting heart disease and diabetes, according to research done at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

The findings are in an article published this month in the Journal of Nutrition, the periodical of the American Society for Nutrition that features peer-reviewed papers.

The UH researchers were headed by Dr. Andre Theriault, director of the medical school's Division of Medical Technology, and investigated the role of a compound found in cruciferous vegetables, a group that is sometimes characterized by having a spicy or bitter taste. The vegetable group has been researched by others for possible cancer-prevention characteristics and has been said to have "cardioprotective" attributes.

Theriault, along with Dr. Joan Kuh, Dr. Adele Casaschi and Geoffrey Maiyoh, more specifically looked at the compound indole-3-carbinol for potential heart disease prevention. The compound is also known as I-3-C.

The medical school said the study indicates using a supplement containing the disease-fighting chemical from the vegetables is potentially just as good as eating them. The family of vegetables also includes radishes and turnips.

The school also said more study is needed on I-3-C, with human intervention trials to confirm the benefits.

Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com.