Sulforaphane (broccoli)
Silver· human dataAlso known as: Broccoli sprout extract, Glucoraphanin
A broccoli-derived Nrf2 activator with promising but early human data.
Sulforaphane, concentrated in broccoli sprouts, activates the body's Nrf2 antioxidant-defence pathway, switching on protective enzymes rather than acting as a direct antioxidant.
Early human studies explore benefits for detoxification, metabolic and cardiovascular markers, and more. The evidence is promising but preliminary, and a real practical issue is that active sulforaphane depends on the enzyme myrosinase — many extracts deliver far less than the label implies, so form and preparation matter.
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Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.
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