While previously shown in studies to reduce various types of cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancer, a new study adds another one to that list, liver cancer.

The new study, led by Prof. Elizabeth Jeffery at the University of Illinois showed that "The normal story about broccoli and health is that it can protect against a number of different cancers, but nobody had looked at liver cancer."

In previous research, Prof. Jeffery and colleagues showed that sulforaphane, a cancer fighting compound found in broccoli - is best acquired by eating the vegetable chopped or lightly steamed.

Broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts are brassica vegetables, and previous research has suggested that brassica vegetables could stop the accumulation of fat in the liver, protecting against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

Results showed that mice who were fed the Westernized diet saw an increase in both the number and size of cancer nodules in the liver. When broccoli was added to the diet, however, the number of nodules decreased.