Broccoli & broccoli sprouts
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Vegetables. Modern nutrition.
Also called Broccoli, Broccoli seedlings, Broccoli shoots
Pinyin: Xī Lán Huā
Spanish: Brócoli
Raw sprouts can carry germsYoung broccoli plants, called sprouts, hold high levels of the compound sulforaphane.
Did you know? Broccoli sprouts are only a few days old, yet they can hold far more of the compound glucoraphanin than mature broccoli.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Heart health. Diets rich in cabbage-family vegetables are linked to lower heart disease in large studies. Sprout trials are lacking.Early proof
- Infections. Sulforaphane kills Helicobacter pylori bacteria in lab tests. Human trials are few and small.Traditional proof
- Cleansing & detox. Sold as a detox food. No good evidence shows it removes toxins from the body.Not supported
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Broccoli has been eaten in Italy for centuries. Sprouts are a modern food trend and have no formal herbal use.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Nutritive, Antioxidant. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Eat a handful of sprouts raw in salads and sandwiches, or add them to food after cooking. No proven dose exists for any health goal.
Food.
Where to get it
Grown from seed in trays and sold fresh in many grocery stores. Supplements contain sprout or seed extracts, which are not the same as eating sprouts.
Be careful
Raw sprouts carry a food safety risk. Outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli have been linked to raw sprouts, so cook them or buy from growers who test their seeds and water.
Avoid if: weak immune system.
Mixing with other things
- Worth knowingBlood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
Broccoli has vitamin K. Keep intake steady if you take warfarin.
The honest take
Sprouts contain more sulforaphane than mature broccoli, but nearly all of the proof comes from lab studies and a few small trials. Eating broccoli is a good habit. Claims that sprouts prevent cancer are not shown in people.