Veggies may cause gas, but they also prevent breast cancer. Sounds like a very fair trade, don't you think? A little intestinal distress in exchange for a lowered risk of cancer?

The cruciferous veggies—any that belong to the Cruciferae or Brassicaceae family of plants, including the cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, mustard, and broccoli—have long been promoted as anti-cancer foods, but how they conferred such benefits wasn't clearly understand, until now.

It has recently been discovered that these vegetables contain a compound called isothiocyanate, which is believed to give them the ability to prevent cancer, as well as to fight cancer once it appears. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts, it turns out, are richest in isothiocyanate.

Though no one expects you to remember the name of this compound (unless you plan to be a contestant on "Jeopardy"; then it might be helpful, who knows?), it's great to know and understand why these particular veggies are so good for us!

So fill up your grocery cart with broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and the others (and perhaps pick up some anti-gas pills in the pharmacy aisle) and start eating a diet targeted at preventing breast cancer!