Sulforaphane
Sulforaphane is a broccoli-sprout isothiocyanate studied for detoxification and metabolic outcomes. Dose and source matter.
Overview
What is sulforaphane?
Sulforaphane is a substance produced when eating cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower and broccolini. A compound in these vegetables called glucoraphanin interacts with an enzyme produced by humans called myrosinase to form sulforaphane.
Dosage
A typical dose of sulforaphane is 1.1-9.1 mg per day. The optimal dose is unknown.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most sulforaphane research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Autism spectrum disorder accounts for 5 of 20 studies (25%).
- Prostate cancer accounts for 3 of 20 studies (15%).
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) accounts for 2 of 20 studies (10%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), Muscle recovery, Age-related cognitive decline.
Dietary Sources
Top dietary sources
Food sources
Sources include Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccoli Sprouts, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Cruciferous Vegetables Like Cabbage, Kale, Rocket, and Watercress.
Safety
Oral sulforaphane is likely safe when used in amounts commonly found in the diet.
Oral sulforaphane supplements are possibly safe at doses of up to 60 mg per day for 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources19 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Prostate cancer
3 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Prostate cancer — Effects of natural extract interventions in prostate cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis2024
A network meta-analysis of 28 RCTs (1,566 prostate cancer patients) ranked silybin with or without selenium highest for reducing PSA and IGF-1; lycopene-based extracts did not rank among top interventions.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Prostate cancer — A phase II study of sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extracts in men with recurrent prostate cancer2015
In men with recurrent prostate cancer, broccoli sprout extract rich in sulforaphane was safe but did not significantly lower PSA progression versus placebo.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Prostate cancer — Effect of Sulforaphane in Men with Biochemical Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy2015
In men with biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy, sulforaphane did not significantly reduce PSA doubling time versus placebo in this double-blind trial.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Autism spectrum disorder — Sulforaphane Treatment in Children with Autism: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study2023
In a prospective RCT in children with autism, sulforaphane improved social responsiveness and behavior scores versus placebo over the treatment period.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Autism spectrum disorder — Randomized controlled trial of sulforaphane and metabolite discovery in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder2021
In children with autism spectrum disorder, sulforaphane altered urinary metabolites and was associated with behavioral improvements versus placebo in this randomized controlled trial.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Autism spectrum disorder — Sulforaphane as an adjunctive treatment for irritability in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial2020
In children with autism-related irritability, adjunctive sulforaphane plus risperidone did not significantly outperform risperidone alone on irritability scores in this RCT.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Autism spectrum disorder — Identification of urinary metabolites that correlate with clinical improvements in children with autism treated with sulforaphane from broccoli2018
In children with autism, sulforaphane treatment correlated with urinary metabolite changes and clinical improvements in social responsiveness versus baseline.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Autism spectrum disorder — Sulforaphane treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)2014
In young men with autism, sulforaphane derived from broccoli sprout extract improved social interaction and behavior scores versus placebo over 18 weeks.
9.SupplementDEX Database: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) — Can a diet rich in Brassicaceae help control Helicobacter pylori infection? A systematic review2024
A systematic review found diets rich in Brassicaceae may support Helicobacter pylori management, though human clinical evidence remained limited and heterogeneous.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) — Effects of probiotics or broccoli supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication with standard clarithromycin-based triple therapy2020
In H. pylori patients, S. boulardii or broccoli sprout supplementation did not significantly increase eradication versus standard triple therapy.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Age-related cognitive decline — Brain Training and Sulforaphane Intake Interventions Separately Improve Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults, Whereas a Combination of These Interventions Does Not Have More Beneficial Effects: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial2021
In healthy older adults, combined brain training and sulforaphane intake improved some cognitive performance measures versus single interventions in this randomized study.
SupplementDEX Database · Asthma
1 reference12.SupplementDEX Database: Asthma — Sulforaphane improves the bronchoprotective response in asthmatics through Nrf2-mediated gene pathways2015
In asthmatics, sulforaphane activated Nrf2 pathways and improved bronchoprotective responses to methacholine versus baseline in this experimental trial.
13.SupplementDEX Database: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — Lack of Effect of Oral Sulforaphane Administration on Nrf2 Expression in COPD: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial2016
In COPD patients, oral sulforaphane did not increase Nrf2 expression or improve oxidative stress markers versus placebo in this randomized trial.
14.SupplementDEX Database: Delayed onset muscle soreness — Effect of a sulforaphane supplement on muscle soreness and damage induced by eccentric exercise in young adults: A pilot study2021
In young men after eccentric exercise, sulforaphane supplementation did not significantly reduce muscle soreness or damage markers versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Depression
1 reference15.SupplementDEX Database: Depression — Efficacy and safety of sulforaphane for treatment of mild to moderate depression in patients with history of cardiac interventions: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial2021
In post-PCI or CABG patients with depression, sulforaphane did not significantly improve depressive symptoms versus placebo in this randomized trial.
SupplementDEX Database · Hay fever
1 reference16.SupplementDEX Database: Hay fever — The Effect of Broccoli Sprout Extract on Seasonal Grass Pollen-Induced Allergic Rhinitis2021
In 47 patients with grass pollen allergic rhinitis, broccoli sprout extract reduced nasal allergic symptoms and increased nasal fluid antioxidants versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Muscle recovery
1 reference17.SupplementDEX Database: Muscle recovery — Oral chronic sulforaphane effects on heavy resistance exercise: Implications for inflammatory and muscle damage parameters in young practitioners2021
In resistance-trained men, chronic oral sulforaphane did not significantly attenuate heavy exercise-induced muscle damage markers versus placebo.
18.SupplementDEX Database: Pregnancy-induced hypertension — Sulforaphane Bioavailability and Effects on Blood Pressure in Women with Pregnancy Hypertension2021
In healthy and preeclamptic women, sulforaphane showed acceptable bioavailability, informing future trials for pregnancy hypertension.
SupplementDEX Database · Schizophrenia
1 reference19.SupplementDEX Database: Schizophrenia — Randomized controlled trial of an adjunctive sulforaphane nutraceutical in schizophrenia2021
In schizophrenia patients, adjunctive sulforaphane did not significantly improve positive or negative symptom scores versus placebo in this randomized controlled trial.