Author Identifier
Emma Mattock: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0171-8236
Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Thesis - ECU Access Only
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
First Supervisor
Lauren Blekkenhorst
Second Supervisor
Jonathan Hodgson
Third Supervisor
Catherine Bondonno
Fourth Supervisor
Joshua Lewis
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and has a significant population health burden. Metabolic conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes) can increase the risk of developing CVD and lead to poor health outcomes. The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases continues to rise, even though these interrelated, chronic conditions and associated risk factors are often preventable.
Regular vegetable consumption has been associated with a lower risk of developing many chronic diseases. The nutritional composition of different vegetable subtypes varies greatly, resulting in differing health benefits. Cruciferous vegetables are a subgroup of vegetables and are well-known for their anti-cancer properties. However, there has been increasing interest in recent years for their potential cardiovascular benefits. Glucosinolates are unique compounds found almost exclusively in cruciferous vegetables that have led to the increased interest in these vegetables in relation to cardiometabolic health. This thesis aimed to investigate the impact of cruciferous vegetable intake on cardiometabolic health outcomes. Following the introduction and critical narrative review, this thesis includes five manuscripts (four published and one prepared for journal submission), including a narrative review, protocol and findings from a randomised controlled trial, and an observational epidemiological study.
The VEgetableS for vaScular hEaLth (VESSEL) Study was a randomised, controlled, crossover trial consisting of two 2-week dietary interventions separated by a 2-week washout period. Participants were middle-aged and older adults with mildly elevated blood pressure. The active intervention consisted of 300 g/day cruciferous vegetable soup (containing broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale) consumed with lunch and dinner meals daily. The effect of cruciferous vegetables on markers of CVD risk was compared to consumption of the control soup, containing 300 g/day root and squash vegetables (carrot, potato, pumpkin, sweet potato). Plasma sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate breakdown product of the glucosinolate glucoraphanin, was significantly higher following the active intervention, indicating the presence of glucosinolates in the cruciferous vegetable intervention. Twenty-four-hour brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly lower following the active vs. control intervention, driven by daytime SBP. Similar results were seen for aortic SBP. Compared with the control intervention, improvements were also seen in serum triglycerides and glycaemic control.
Data from the Calcium Intake Fracture Outcome Study (CAIFOS) were utilised to investigate relationships between vegetable intake, including cruciferous vegetables, and adiposity measures (visceral adipose tissue mass, fat mass, waist circumference) in older community dwelling Australian women. Multivariable linear regression with restricted cubic splines were used to examine potential nonlinear associations between intake of total vegetables and vegetable subgroups and adiposity measures. Increased vegetable intake was associated with improvements in visceral adiposity and waist circumference, with significant associations also seen for cruciferous vegetables.
The chapters herein present evidence for the importance of cruciferous vegetables for cardiometabolic risk factors. Improving these risk factors is central to the prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases. Hence, results from my PhD support the development of targeted recommendations emphasising the importance of cruciferous vegetable intake. Prioritising cruciferous vegetables at a population level could have substantial impacts on reducing the extensive public health burden associated with cardiometabolic conditions.
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 13th March 2029
Access to chapter 7 of this thesis is not available
Recommended Citation
Mattock, E. (2026). Cardiometabolic health impact of cruciferous vegetables and their glucosinolates. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/dr6m-t346
Comments
Author also known as Emma Connolly