Broccoli Compound May Boost Cognitive Function

Sulforaphane may improve mood and prevent cancer even as it protects the heart, brain, and gut

'Three-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk.' Shutterstock

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• After just 12 weeks of supplementing with sulforaphane, which is just one of broccoli’s claims to fame, older adults experienced better cognitive function.
• Sulforaphane also helps protect the heart, catalyzes a healthy balance of gut bacteria, and may be a weight management tool.
• A superior choice to supplements is broccoli sprouts; they contain up to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds and are easily grown indoors.

Food has a profound effect on your health—whether to prevent disease or reverse the negative effects of disease and illness. For example, decades of research have revealed the powerful effect that broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have on several common health issues. Research1 has found that sulforaphane, one of broccoli’s claims to fame, is responsible for improving cognitive function and mood in older adults.

Other cruciferous vegetables include Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, collards, kale, and bok choy. Broccoli has decades of research behind it showing that it’s a valuable, health-promoting food. While several compounds have demonstrated positive effects on health, one of the most widely studied is sulforaphane. The compound may be best known for its cancer-fighting properties.