FAQ's

Quick bullets:

Broccoli microgreens:

Reduce cancer risk significantly

Most potent detox (chemicals, air pollution, car exhaust)

Improve insulin sensitivity

Reduced inflammation

Reduced oxidative stress

Higher glutathione

Skin health/wrinkle reduction

Supports gut health

The Mechanisms

Broccoli is the best known source of Sulforaphane. 

Microgreens provide 10x the sulforaphane (gram for gram) than mature broccoli.

Sulforaphane increases Glutathione

Sulforaphane activates NRF2 pathways, increasing the body’s production of Glutathione - typically by 20-40% and is sustained for 24-72 hours. 

Glutathione is the “Master Antioxidant”

It protects cells by neutralizing oxidative stress, supporting detoxification, and maintaining redox balance. The body makes it from amino acids (Cysteine, Glycine and Glutamine), but our production and recycling decline with age. Lower glutathione is linked to increased inflammation, cellular damage, and reduced resilience, making it important for metabolic health, immune function, and healthy aging. 

Anti-Cancer Benefits

Prostate Cancer 

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial – In men with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, daily free sulforaphane significantly lengthened the PSA doubling time (PSADT) by 86% compared to placebo (28.9 months vs. 15.5 months), indicating a significant delay in disease progression. 

Cipolla BG, et al. Effect of Sulforaphane in Men with Biochemical Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy. Cancer Prevention Research. 2015;8(8):712–719.

Breast Cancer 

Human clinical randomized double-blind trial – In women scheduled for breast biopsy, glucoraphanin supplementation demonstrated successful systemic exposure and bioavailability (SFN metabolites were detectable in breast tissue). The intervention was safe, though it did not produce significant changes in breast tissue tumor biomarkers (Ki-67) at the tested dose and duration. 

Atwell LL, et al. Sulforaphane Bioavailability and Chemopreventive Activity in Women Scheduled for Breast Biopsy. Cancer Prevention Research. 2015.

Colorectal Cancer 

Animal study (mouse carcinogenesis model) – In an AOM/DSS-induced model of colitis-associated cancer, sulforaphane administration significantly suppressed inflammation-associated carcinogenesis and reduced the number and size of intestinal tumors. 

Shao F, et al. Sulforaphane Attenuates AOM/DSS-Induced Colorectal Tumorigenesis. Nutrition and Cancer. 2024.

Lung Cancer 

Human clinical randomized phase II trial – In former smokers at high risk for lung cancer, oral sulforaphane supplementation significantly reduced the Ki-67 proliferation index in bronchial tissue (a key surrogate biomarker for cancer risk) compared to placebo. 

Yuan JM, et al. Randomized Phase II Clinical Trial of Sulforaphane in Former Smokers at High Risk for Lung Cancer. Cancer Prevention Research. 2025.

Pancreatic Cancer 

Mixed Research (In vitro + Animal Xenograft) – Sulforaphane inhibited pancreatic cancer cell growth and suppressed tumor development in vivo; the study identified a mechanism involving the disruption of the Hsp90–p50(Cdc37) complex, which drives cancer cell survival. 

Li Y, et al. Sulforaphane inhibits pancreatic cancer through disrupting Hsp90-p50(Cdc37) complex. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2012.

Brain Cancer (Glioblastoma) 

Mixed Research (In vitro + Animal Xenograft) – Sulforaphane induced cell death in glioblastoma (GBM) cells, inhibited the growth of GBM stem-like spheroids, and significantly reduced the growth of tumor xenografts in mice. 

Bijangi-Vishehsaraei K, et al. Sulforaphane suppresses the growth of glioblastoma cells, glioblastoma stem cell-like spheroids, and tumor xenografts. Journal of Neurosurgery. 2017.

Bladder Cancer 

Animal study (Xenograft) – Sulforaphane extract retarded the growth of UM-UC-3 bladder cancer xenografts in vivo and induced apoptosis-related signaling changes, including downregulation of survivin and upregulation of caspase-3. 

Wang F, et al. Sulforaphane retards the growth of UM-UC-3 xenografts, induces apoptosis, and reduces survivin in athymic mice. Biochemical Pharmacology. 2012.

Liver Cancer 

Mixed Research (In vitro + Animal Xenograft) – Sulforaphane inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)—a driver of metastasis—in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and significantly reduced tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. 

Wu J, et al. Sulforaphane inhibits TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and reduces tumor growth in a xenograft model. Oncology Reports. 2016.

Cervical Cancer 

In vitro study – Sulforaphane treatment induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) and accumulated cells in the G2/M phase (cell cycle arrest) in human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. 

Park SY, et al. Induction of apoptosis by isothiocyanate sulforaphane in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. Oncology Reports. 2007.

Leukemia 

Ex vivo and In vitro study – Sulforaphane induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines and, notably, in primary lymphoblasts collected directly from pediatric patients with ALL. 

Suppipat K, et al. Sulforaphane induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and primary lymphoblasts. Leukemia & Lymphoma. 2012.

Ovarian Cancer 

Mixed Research (In vitro + Animal Xenograft) – Sulforaphane regulated apoptosis- and proliferation-related signaling pathways (downregulating AKT/mTOR) and significantly suppressed the growth of ovarian tumor xenografts in mice. 

Kan SF, et al. Sulforaphane regulates apoptosis- and proliferation-related signaling and suppresses ovarian tumor growth in xenografts. International Journal of Molecular Medicine. 2018.

Melanoma (Skin Cancer) 

Human clinical trial (Bioavailability) – In patients with a history of melanoma, oral broccoli sprout extract (containing sulforaphane) showed successful biodistribution, with metabolites detected in plasma and skin tissue, establishing the feasibility of reaching the target organ for chemoprevention. 

Tahata S, et al. Evaluation of biodistribution of sulforaphane after administration of oral broccoli sprout extract in melanoma patients with multiple atypical nevi. Cancer Prevention Research. 2018.

Detox

Human clinical randomized trial - Daily consumption of a broccoli sprout-derived beverage (rich in glucoraphanin/sulforaphane) led to rapid and sustained increases in urinary excretion of the benzene mercapturic acid (61%) and acrolein mercapturic acid (23%) in people exposed to high levels of air pollution. These are biomarkers of enhanced phase II detoxification of harmful pollutants.

Egner PA, Chen J-G, Zarth AT, et al. Rapid and Sustainable Detoxication of Airborne Pollutants by Broccoli Sprout Beverage: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial in China. Cancer Prevention Research (Phila)

Human clinical randomized trial - A follow-up randomized trial confirmed that higher doses of broccoli sprout beverage increased benzene detoxification (measured by urinary benzene mercapturic acid, SPMA) in a dose-dependent manner.

Chen JG, Egner PA, et al. Dose-dependent detoxication of the airborne pollutant benzene in a randomized trial of broccoli sprout beverage in Qidong, China. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Human randomized crossover trial -  broccoli seed and sprout extract (rich in glucoraphanin/sulforaphane precursors) significantly upregulated urinary excretion of the mercapturic acids of benzene, acrolein, and crotonaldehyde (tobacco-related carcinogens) in current smokers — a marker of enhanced detox pathways.

Bauman JE, Chen JG, et al. Randomized crossover trial evaluating detoxification of tobacco carcinogens by broccoli seed and sprout extract in current smokers. Cancers (Basel)

Insulin Sensitivity

Human clinical randomized double-blind trial - Daily supplementation with broccoli sprout extract (rich in sulforaphane) lowered fasting blood glucose in people with prediabetes and improved glucose tolerance; effects varied with gut microbiota composition. Average drop in fasting glucose was 0.2mmol/L = 3.6 mg/L fasting glucose. If maintained for 90 days this should equate to an average drop in A1C of approx 0.12.

Dwibedi C, et al. Effect of broccoli sprout extract and baseline gut microbiota on fasting blood glucose in prediabetes: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Nature Microbiology. 2025

Human clinical randomized double-blind trial - In this 4-week RCT, diabetic patients receiving 10 g/day broccoli sprout powder showed significant reductions in serum insulin levels and HOMA-IR compared with control, suggesting improved insulin sensitivity.

Bahadoran Z, Tohidi M, Nazeri P, et al. Effect of broccoli sprouts on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2012

Human Clinical Trial with translational mechanistic evidence - This trial found that daily sulforaphane-containing broccoli sprout extract improved glycemic control (including fasting glucose and HbA1c) by reducing hepatic glucose production and upregulating beneficial metabolic pathways, with good tolerability. 

Axelsson AS, et al. Sulforaphane reduces hepatic glucose production and improves glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Science Translational Medicine. 2017

Inflammation

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (Type 2 diabetes, 4 weeks) – Daily broccoli sprout powder (high-sulforaphane; 10 g/day or 5 g/day) reduced hs-CRP ~20.5% (10 g) and ~16.4% (5 g); IL-6 and TNF-α changes were smaller/non-significant, but hs-CRP and IL-6 were lower vs control after intervention.
Mirmiran P, et al. “Effects of broccoli sprout with high sulforaphane concentration on inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Journal of Functional Foods. 2012.

Human dietary intervention clinical trial (Overweight adults, 10 weeks + follow-up) – Broccoli sprouts 30 g/day for 10 weeks: IL-6 dropped from 4.76 to 2.11 pg/mL by ~70 days; CRP also significantly decreased (trial measured TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CRP).
López-Chillón MT, et al. “Effects of long-term consumption of broccoli sprouts on inflammatory markers in overweight subjects.” Clinical Nutrition. 2019;38(2):745–752.

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (Smokers; nasal immune/inflammation model, 4 days) – Broccoli sprout homogenate vs placebo (alfalfa homogenate), then live attenuated influenza virus challenge: in smokers, the nasal IL-6 response AUC was significantly lower with broccoli sprouts (logAUC 2.13±0.79 vs 3.27±0.99; p=0.03).
Noah TL, et al. “Effect of Broccoli Sprouts on Nasal Response to Live Attenuated Influenza Virus in Smokers: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.” PLoS One. 2014.

Combine with NAC and Glycine for greater effect. 

Glycine and Cysteine are amino acids (basic parts of the protein our body is made up of), and are the building blocks for Glutathione. 600-1200mg NAC daily, paired with 2000-4000mg Glycine. Combining NAC and Glycine with Sulforaphane can increase intracellular GSH by 30-100% (depending on dietary intake).

Reduced Oxidative Stress

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (Type 2 diabetes, 4 weeks) – Daily broccoli sprouts powder (5 g/day or 10 g/day) reduced oxidative stress: MDA ↓ (P=0.001), oxidized LDL ↓ (P=0.03), oxidative stress index (OSI) ↓ (P=0.001), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) ↑ (P=0.001);
  Bahadoran Z, et al. Broccoli sprouts reduce oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011.

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (fatty liver / hepatic abnormalities, 2 months) – Daily broccoli sprout extract capsules containing 30 mg glucoraphanin/day (sulforaphane precursor) reduced DNA oxidative damage marker urinary 8-OHdG by ~20% (median 6.8 → 5.5 ng/mg-CRE) and the paper links this reduction with improved liver enzymes (ALT, γ-GTP).
  Kikuchi M, et al. Sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extract improves hepatic abnormalities in male subjects. World J Gastroenterol. 2015.

Human clinical randomized double-blind trial (gastric mucosa oxidative damage, H. pylori study) – Broccoli sprout extract containing sulforaphane reduced gastric mucosal lipid peroxidation: mucosal MDA decreased in H. pylori(+) participants (p<0.05; p=0.006 in one comparison) and also in H. pylori(-) participants (p<0.001).
 Chang YW, et al. The Effects of Broccoli Sprout Extract Containing Sulforaphane on Lipid Peroxidation and Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Gastric Mucosa. Gut Liver. 2015.

Increased Cellular Glutathione

Human clinical controlled feeding study (Healthy adults, 7 days) – Daily broccoli sprout beverages providing sulforaphane significantly increased intracellular glutathione (GSH) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) within one week, demonstrating a true cellular glutathione rise from dietary sulforaphane exposure.

  Egner PA, Chen JG, Zarth AT, et al. Bioavailability of Sulforaphane from Two Broccoli Sprout Beverages: Results of a Short-Term Human Study Showing Increased Intracellular Glutathione. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 2011

Human clinical randomized crossover trial (Smokers, 2 weeks per arm) – Broccoli seed and sprout extract (glucoraphanin → sulforaphane) significantly increased intracellular glutathione in PBMCs compared with placebo while also enhancing detoxification of benzene, acrolein, and crotonaldehyde metabolites.

  Bauman JE, Hsu CH, Centuori S, et al. Randomized Crossover Trial Evaluating Detoxification of Tobacco Carcinogens by Broccoli Seed and Sprout Extract in Current Smokers. Cancers (Basel). 2022

Skin Care/Wrinkle Reduction

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (UV skin protection, 4 days) – Topical broccoli sprout extract rich in sulforaphane applied to human skin reduced UV-induced erythema (sunburn response) by ~37% on average, demonstrating activation of the skin’s intrinsic antioxidant/NRF2 defenses that protect collagen and elastin from photo-oxidative damage (a primary driver of wrinkles).
  Talalay P, Fahey JW, Healy ZR, et al. Sulforaphane mobilizes cellular defenses that protect skin against damage by UV radiation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). 2007

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (oral glutathione, 12 weeks) – Daily oral glutathione (250 mg/day) significantly reduced wrinkles, improved skin elasticity, and reduced melanin index compared with placebo; wrinkle reduction was objectively measured with skin imaging analysis.
  Weschawalit S, Thongthip S, Phutrakool P, Asawanonda P. Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2017

Gut Health

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (H. pylori–positive adults, 8 weeks) – Daily broccoli sprouts (70 g/day; sulforaphane-yielding) significantly reduced gastric inflammation and H. pylori colonization markers, with serum pepsinogen I/II ratio improving and stool H. pylori antigen decreasing versus alfalfa-sprout control.
 Yanaka A, Fahey JW, Fukumoto A, et al. Dietary sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts reduce colonization and attenuate gastritis in Helicobacter pylori–infected mice and humans. Cancer Prevention Research. 2009

Human clinical randomized crossover trial (Current smokers, 2 weeks per arm) – Broccoli seed and sprout extract (glucoraphanin → sulforaphane) significantly increased intracellular glutathione in PBMCs and enhanced detoxification of gut-relevant toxicants (benzene, acrolein, crotonaldehyde), reflecting improved gut–liver detox axis and reduced systemic oxidative/inflammatory burden linked to gut health.
  Bauman JE, Hsu CH, Centuori S, et al. Randomized crossover trial evaluating detoxification of tobacco carcinogens by broccoli seed and sprout extract in current smokers. Cancers (Basel). 2022

Compare to glutathione injections/IV 

Glutathione injections and IV have a weaker and transient effect. Yes, IV glutathione could increase plasma GSH 200-500%, but is likely to return to baseline within 1-3 hours. 

Also, these is EXTRACELLULAR increases, and Glutathione does NOT efficiently cross the cell membrane to enter the cells. 

These injections typically cost $150-350 per visit. Multiples of the cost of our microgreens, and less beneficial.

How much sulforaphane?

5-15 mg daily sulforaphane. (¼ - ½ of small container, well chewed, daily) 

This is equivalent to ½ - 1 lb of mature broccoli.

Short term/intense detox: 50 mg daily, work up to this amount, and spread out throughout the day. 

This is equivalent to approx 20lbs of fresh mature broccoli. 

Do not eat 20 lbs of broccoli in one day…

The “Magic” of Myrosinase

Broccoli contains glucoraphanin - a stable storage form of sulforaphane that remains relatively inert until exposed to myrosinase. When you chew the broccoli, the glucoraphanin is exposed to myrosinase, an enzyme, and converted to sulforaphane. Outside the body, sulforaphane can degrade in a few hours (depending on room temperature and light). In the body it is quickly conjugated to glutathione and the cellular response lasts days.

Cooking broccoli will destroy the myrosinase and render the glucoraphanin almost useless - unless combined with new source of myrosinase. 

Broccoli + Radish

Broccoli is high in Glugoraphanin, and Radish is high in Myrosinase. Combining the two in the right ratio can increase the amount of sulforaphane in your microgreens 50-100% - gram for gram.

Cold/Flu Resilience - A Plausible Mechanistic Model 

Mechanistically, sulforaphane from broccoli activates the NRF2 pathway, which upregulates the body’s own antioxidant and detox systems, specifically increasing intracellular glutathione production in immune and epithelial cells. Glutathione is central to antiviral defense: it helps maintain redox balance in respiratory tissues, supports proper immune cell signaling, and has been shown to limit influenza viral replication and reduce oxidative damage during infection. While there are no high-quality human trials directly proving that sulforaphane supplementation reduces the incidence of common colds, the biochemical pathway—from sulforaphane to NRF2 activation to increased cellular glutathione—provides a biologically plausible mechanism for replicating the viral resilience observed in other glutathione-focused interventions.

This resilience has been clinically demonstrated in trials using N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a direct precursor to glutathione. Research on NAC confirms that raising intracellular glutathione correlates with a significant reduction in the frequency, severity, and duration of cold and flu-like episodes. These findings serve as a "proof of principle" that supporting the body’s glutathione status—whether through NAC precursors or sulforaphane-induced upregulation—improves the immune response to respiratory viral infections.

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (Chronic bronchitis patients, winter season, 6 months) – Daily N-acetylcysteine 600 mg/day significantly reduced frequency, severity, and duration of acute respiratory exacerbations, including flu-like and cold-like episodes, compared with placebo. Patients on NAC had fewer days of illness and milder symptoms during respiratory infections.

 Boman G, et al. Oral N-acetylcysteine reduces exacerbation rate in chronic bronchitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Respiratory Diseases. 1983

Human clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (Older adults, 6 months through flu season) – Daily N-acetylcysteine 600 mg twice per day did not prevent influenza infection (similar seroconversion rates), but reduced the development of symptomatic influenza-like illness: 25% of NAC group became symptomatic vs 79% of placebo among those infected. NAC also reduced severity and duration of symptoms and time confined to bed.

 De Flora S, et al. Attenuation of influenza-like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment.European Respiratory Journal. 1997