Broccoli sprout
Scientific names: Brassica oleracea, Brassica oleracea var. italica
Family: Brassicaceae/Cruciferae
Alternate names: Brotes de brócoli, Pousse de brocoli, Sprouting Broccoli
Actions: Antiasthmatic, Anti-Helicobacter pylori, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant, Dermatologic, Hypotensive, Immune, Lipid, Neurologic, Ocular, Ultraviolet protective (UV protection)
Background
Broccoli sprouts are young broccoli plants (Brassica oleracea). Broccoli sprouts are rich in the chemical glucoraphanin, which might offer health benefits.
The glucoraphanin in broccoli sprout is changed to another compound called sulforaphane during digestion. This chemical has antioxidant effects which might help prevent cancer and liver problems.
People use broccoli sprout for prostate cancer, hay fever, asthma, sunburn, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse broccoli sprout with the mature broccoli plant, or with the chemical sulforaphane. These are not the same.
The glucoraphanin in broccoli sprout is changed to another compound called sulforaphane during digestion. This chemical has antioxidant effects which might help prevent cancer and liver problems.
People use broccoli sprout for prostate cancer, hay fever, asthma, sunburn, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse broccoli sprout with the mature broccoli plant, or with the chemical sulforaphane. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Broccoli sprout is commonly consumed in foods. Properly grown broccoli sprouts have not been reported to cause side effects. But broccoli sprouts that have not been grown properly should be avoided. These sprouts have a higher chance of being contaminated with bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Broccoli sprout extract is possibly safe when used for up to 2 months.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if broccoli sprout extract is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Low immune system function: Raw broccoli sprouts can be contaminated with bacteria. People who have low immune system function might be more likely than other people to develop food poisoning after eating contaminated raw broccoli sprouts. Advise people with low immune system function to avoid eating raw broccoli sprouts.
Broccoli sprout extract is possibly safe when used for up to 2 months.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's likely safe to eat COOKED broccoli sprout while pregnant or breast-feeding. But eating RAW broccoli sprout is possibly unsafe. Raw broccoli sprouts might be contaminated with bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Food poisoning during pregnancy might cause miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth. Stay on the safe side and eat only cooked broccoli sprout while pregnant.There isn't enough reliable information to know if broccoli sprout extract is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Low immune system function: Raw broccoli sprouts can be contaminated with bacteria. People who have low immune system function might be more likely than other people to develop food poisoning after eating contaminated raw broccoli sprouts. Advise people with low immune system function to avoid eating raw broccoli sprouts.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using broccoli sprout for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
Broccoli sprouts are commonly eaten in foods. Broccoli sprouts that have not been grown properly should be avoided. These sprouts have a higher chance of being contaminated with bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of broccoli sprout might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of broccoli sprout might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Broccoli sprout might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 01/05/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 24/09/2022 06:43:58. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
