There is good news for anyone who has ever struggled to eat, or encouraged children to eat, the recommended daily intake of vegetables!

Booster Broccoli™, the first Vital Vegetable® product, was launched in August. Dr Rod Jones and Bruce Tomkins, from DPI Knoxfield, led the research team which developed the technology to identify and produce vegetables with high levels of naturally-occurring nutrients to deliver health benefits for consumers. Studies indicate that eating 70 grams of Booster Broccoli™ 3 times a week could boost your immune system and protect against heart disease and a range of cancers.

Dr Jones said, “We know one in three people could greatly reduce their risk of cancer through simple changes to their lifestyle like eating a greater variety of healthy foods rich in antioxidants, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. Our research suggests the higher level of antioxidants found in Booster Broccoli™ may increase health and wellbeing and reduce the incidences of serious illnesses.”

The concept for ‘Booster Broccoli™' was developed using knowledge of the conditions which influence plant growth and composition, particularly antioxidants, in various production regions. Further products in the range will include tomatoes, capsicum, lettuce and Calebrini™ (similar to broccolini).

Vital Vegetables® chairman, John Said, thinks that supermarkets will increasingly stock foods boasting higher levels of goodness for people with busy lifestyles.

“Our lifestyles seem to get faster all the time. If you can get the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables through eating less, isn't that kind of the way we are going in the world these days?' he says.

Vital Vegetables® also addresses other consumer needs. Vital Vegetables® are selected and grown using only traditional growing and farming techniques - no genetic engineering is used in any way. They are also owned and grown by local growers using sustainable farming practises including minimal fertiliser and water use.

Goodness-filled Booster Broccoli™ is now available.

LandLearn acknowledges The Age, The Herald Sun & DPI staff for their input into this article.

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