Last verified: today
Broccoli
Also known as: Brassica oleracea, broccoli sprout extract, glucoraphanin, sulforaphane, BSE, broccoli seed extract
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Broccoli's active compound sulforaphane shows real promise for ADHD, cancer prevention, and muscle health.
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What it does
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable whose key bioactive compound, sulforaphane, is produced when glucoraphanin is broken down by enzymes. Sulforaphane activates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose from provided studies
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Found in
Porefavor, Balance of Nature Fruits & Veggies, Garden of Life Vitamin Code Men's Multi and 17 more
What the Science Says
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable whose key bioactive compound, sulforaphane, is produced when glucoraphanin is broken down by enzymes. Sulforaphane activates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways in the body and has shown benefits as an add-on treatment for ADHD symptoms in children, potential prostate cancer prevention in animal models, and muscle protection. Broccoli-derived peptides combined with leucine also showed promise for reducing age-related muscle loss in mice.
What It Doesn't Do
Won't meaningfully improve liver enzyme levels in fatty liver disease at typical supplement doses. Not proven to fight prostate cancer in humans — the cell and mouse data is early. Broccoli extract is less effective than mushroom extract at killing cancer cells in lab tests. Eating broccoli or taking supplements won't guarantee your gut converts glucoraphanin to sulforaphane efficiently — conversion varies widely between people.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Sulforaphane added to standard ADHD medication significantly reduced inattention and hyperactivity in children over 8 weeks.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: 30 mg/day sulforaphane
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Adding myrosinase enzyme to glucoraphanin supplements doubles sulforaphane absorption compared to glucoraphanin alone.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: Single dose glucoraphanin + myrosinase (mustard seed powder)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Oral sulforaphane reduced prostate adenocarcinoma incidence by ~54% in a mouse cancer model.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 1 mg/mouse 3x/week (animal study only)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Broccoli-derived peptides combined with leucine improved muscle mass, strength, and endurance in an aging mouse model.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established human dose
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Moderate — sulforaphane bioavailability from glucoraphanin alone averages ~19%, but adding myrosinase enzyme (e.g., from mustard seed) roughly doubles it to ~40%. Gut bacteria play a significant role but vary widely between individuals.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Sulforaphane conversion from supplements is highly variable — without added myrosinase, you may absorb less than half the expected amount
- Broccoli sprout supplements at 1,000 mg/day showed no significant effect on liver enzymes in a small RCT — don't expect liver detox benefits
- Most cancer-related findings are from cell cultures or mice, not human trials — do not use broccoli supplements as a cancer treatment
- The ADHD sulforaphane trial was in children aged 6–11 as an add-on to medication — do not replace prescribed ADHD medication with supplements
- Many products on the market (1,000+ registered supplements) vary widely in glucoraphanin content and myrosinase activity, making dose comparisons unreliable
Products Containing Broccoli
See how Broccoli is used in these analyzed products:
Porefavor
Balance of Nature Fruits & Veggies
Supplement
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Men's Multi
Amazing Grass Super Greens The Original
Supplement
Life Extension Mix Capsules
Supplement
Baby & Me 2 by MegaFood
Supplement
Texas SuperFood Original Capsules
Supplement
Greens by Inspired Nutraceuticals
Supplement
Jarro-Dophilus® EPS - 10 Billion CFU
Supplement
Live it Up Super Greens
Supplement
Transformation Super Greens (SPR BODY)
Supplement
310 Organic Vanilla Shake
Supplement
Country Farms Collagen + Greens Powder
Supplement
Newchapter
Supplement
Sunfood Supergreens & Protein
Supplement
WonderGreens Veggie Gummies
Supplement
Peak Performance Organic Greens Superfood Powder
Supplement
Sunfood Organic Green Blend
Supplement
Paleovalley Organic Supergreens
Supplement
KOS Organic Superfood Greens - Apple Flavor
Supplement
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Broccoli do?
Broccoli's active compound sulforaphane shows real promise for ADHD, cancer prevention, and muscle health.
What is the effective dose of Broccoli?
No established dose from provided studies
Is Broccoli safe?
Sulforaphane conversion from supplements is highly variable — without added myrosinase, you may absorb less than half the expected amount
What doesn't Broccoli do?
Won't meaningfully improve liver enzyme levels in fatty liver disease at typical supplement doses.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-07-06