Broccoli sprout

Best for

Increase polyphenol absorption

Likely modest benefit · 64–224 mg/day for 0–12 weeks · 4 studies , n=291

36 papers · 1 claim · 114 outcomes scored · 1 positive

Outcomes

What broccoli sprout actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect size Evidence Dose Weeks Rank

Increase polyphenol absorption Likely modest benefit

Active compounds survive your gut and reach your bloodstream intact.

4 RCTs n=291 64–224 mg 0–12 wk #1/4

24913818·26511489·27130714·35565256

small

4 RCTs n=291

64–224 mg

0–12 wk

#1 /4

Forms & standardisation

The best-studied versions are broccoli sprout extracts or beverages standardized to glucoraphanin, sometimes with active myrosinase. On the label, look for glucoraphanin content and any stated sulforaphane yield, because that tells you whether the product is pre-activated or still waiting on conversion.¹² Vague "broccoli extract" labels hide the part that actually matters.

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

cholecystitis (hospitalization) severe

COPD exacerbation (hospitalization) severe

seizure severe

Intracerebral hemorrhage severe

Cardiac insufficiency severe

transaminase elevation (liver enzymes) moderate

nausea moderate

Abdominal pain moderate

Drug interactions

other moderate decreases concentration

N-Acetylcysteine moderate decreases effect

Oxaliplatin moderate decreases effect

Olanzapine moderate decreases concentration

Imatinib moderate increases effect

Antineoplastic Agents moderate increases effect

Valproic Acid moderate decreases concentration

Clarithromycin-Based Triple Therapy (Clarithromycin + Amoxicillin/Metronidazole + PPI) minor unknown

Co-studied with

Supplements that share evidence with broccoli sprout

Mustard 8 shared outcomes · d=1.30

Moringa 7 shared outcomes · d=0.59

Curcumin 1 shared outcome · d=1.19

Frequently asked

Common questions

Is broccoli sprout the same as sulforaphane?

No. Broccoli sprout is the plant source, and sulforaphane is one of the active compounds your body makes from its glucoraphanin cargo.¹²

What should I look for on the label?

Look for glucoraphanin, sulforaphane yield, and whether the product includes myrosinase. Those details tell you more than a vague "broccoli extract" label.¹²

Is broccoli sprout worth taking every day?

If you use it, daily beats occasional. The human studies use repeated intake over weeks, not one-off doses.²

What makes broccoli sprout different from eating broccoli?

The sprout concentrates the starting material that your body turns into sulforaphane, so you get a much denser hit of the compounds researchers care about.¹

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Sources

Generated May 15, 2026