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Sul7.5
Sulforaphane Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
42 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Sulforaphane appears to help in 6 of 7 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2026 with a typical study size of 74 participants.
Based on 42 studies · 9 meta-analyses · 22 RCTs · 40,420 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
6helped1unclear· 35 more without graded effect data
30 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200520152026
1Meta-AnalysisCited 5×n=31,292 · very large study2024
In summary, the findings indicate that individuals suffering from some type of cancer consumed less broccoli, suggesting a protective biological effect of broccoli on cancer.
Baladia E et al. · Nutrients (2024)
In summary, the findings indicate that individuals suffering from some type of cancer consumed less broccoli, suggesting a protective biological effect of broccoli on cancer.
More studies, especially cohort studies, are necessary to clarify the possible beneficial effect of broccoli on several types of cancer.
3DNA methyltransferase modulationSystematic ReviewCited 4×n=103 · medium study2025
Notably, nearly 90% of studies reported DNMT inhibition-often dose- and time-dependent.
Campisi M et al. · Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2025)
Notably, nearly 90% of studies reported DNMT inhibition-often dose- and time-dependent.
Approximately 21% defined minimal effective concentrations, predominantly for isolated compounds.
Further well-designed clinical trials are warranted to assess long-term efficacy, safety, and bioavailability of these compounds and to validate their use in personalized epigenetic interventions using biological aging markers.
4Social Responsiveness Scale scoresMeta-Analysisn=333 · medium study2025
Sulforaphane may serve as an efficacious and safe adjunctive therapy for ASD, mediated by its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects along with the modulation of autophagy.
Long J et al. · BMC pharmacology & toxicology (2025)
Pooled results demonstrated that both 4-5 weeks and 8-10 weeks of sulforaphane supplementation significantly decreased the scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale compared to placebo controls.
Sulforaphane may serve as an efficacious and safe adjunctive therapy for ASD, mediated by its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects along with the modulation of autophagy.
5Kidney disease progressionMeta-AnalysisCited 16×n=209 · medium study2023
These findings provide new insights concerning preclinical strategies for treating kidney disease or kidney failure with SFN supplements and should stimulate interest in clinical evaluations of SFN in patients with kidney disease.
6PANSS scores in schizophreniaMeta-AnalysisCited 1×2025
The study provides initial insights into sulforaphane's potential therapeutic effects in schizophrenia, showing modest improvements in general psychopathology and negative symptoms, with favorable metabolic changes and lower discontinuation rates.
Kassar O et al. · BMC psychiatry (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Sulforaphane did not significantly improve PANSS total or positive symptom scores at the latest follow-up (ranging from 24 weeks to 18 weeks) or at a consistent 12-week time point.
However, a modest improvement in negative symptoms was found at 12 week- time point (MD= -1.06; 95% CI: -1.95 to -0.16; p = 0.02), which was not maintained at the latest follow-up.
General psychopathology scores improved significantly (MD= -1.5; 95% CI: -2.78 to -0.23; p = 0.02).
7Irritability and hyperactivity symptoms on ABC and SRS scalesMeta-AnalysisCited 2×2025
The results of this meta-analysis showed that sulforaphane significantly improved irritability and hyperactivity symptoms, suggesting that sulforaphane has the potential for the combined treatment ...
Guo J et al. · Brain & development (2025)
The results of this meta-analysis showed that sulforaphane significantly improved irritability and hyperactivity symptoms, suggesting that sulforaphane has the potential for the combined treatment of autism.
Review Manager 5.3 software was used to conduct this meta-analysis.
Additional studies are needed to confirm and explore the effect of sulforaphane.
8CKD progression prevention and treatmentSystematic ReviewCited 7×2024
These results suggest that bioactive compounds of plant-based foods and medicinal plants have promising effects in terms of preventing or treating CKD progression and appear to improve inflammation and antioxidant capacity and support cardiovascular benefits and renoprotective effects; however, it is recommended that further studies be carried out.
Instead, they indicate that including brassica vegetables in the daily diet, particularly when accompanied by adequate iodine intake, poses no adverse effects on thyroid function.
Galanty A et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2024)
We analyzed the results of 123 articles of in vitro, animal, and human studies, describing the impact of brassica plants and extracts on thyroid mass and histology, blood levels of TSH, T3, T4, iodine uptake, and the effect on thyroid cancer cells.
We also presented the mechanisms of the goitrogenic potential of GLSs and ITCs, the limitations of the studies included, as well as further research directions.
The vast majority of the results cast doubt on previous assumptions claiming that brassica plants have antithyroid effects in humans.
11Cardiopulmonary effects of air pollutionSystematic ReviewCited 3×n=18 · very small study2024
Although more research is needed to determine the efficacy and optimal dose of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dietary supplements against air pollution toxicity, this low-cost preventative strategy has the potential to offer protection against outcomes of air pollution exposure.
Ilaghi M et al. · PloS one (2024)
Although more research is needed to determine the efficacy and optimal dose of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dietary supplements against air pollution toxicity, this low-cost preventative strategy has the potential to offer protection against outcomes of air pollution exposure.
12Breast cancer protection and treatmentSystematic ReviewCited 16×2021
Current preclinical evidence strongly supports the role of sulforaphane and other ITCs as potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer, either as adjunct therapy or combined therapy with current anti-breast cancer drugs, with sulforaphane displaying the greatest potential.
Ngo SNT et al. · Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry (2021)
Current preclinical evidence strongly supports the role of sulforaphane and other ITCs as potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer, either as adjunct therapy or combined therapy with current anti-breast cancer drugs, with sulforaphane displaying the greatest potential.
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
Sanadgol N et al. · Current drug targets (2017)
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
Apigenin, chrysin, baicalein, cyanidin, flavone glycoside, daidzein, coumestrol, sulforaphane, bee venom and huperzine A are the candidates for more prospective investigations.
Therefore, a supplement that contains these micronutrients, using the safest form and dosage should be investigated in future breast cancer chemoprevention studies and as part of standard breast ca...
Mokbel K et al. · In vivo (Athens, Greece) (2019)
Therefore, a supplement that contains these micronutrients, using the safest form and dosage should be investigated in future breast cancer chemoprevention studies and as part of standard breast cancer therapy.
The findings suggest beneficial effects of dietary bioactive compounds such as SFN and EGCG and their effect on BC cells by restoring estrogen receptor gene expression, modulating epigenetic changes and events, and interfering with tumor growth rate.
Gianfredi V et al. · Journal of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics (2017)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
We identified 7 studies, 4 regarding the effect of 10 µM SFN on MDA-MB-231 cells (ES = 4.59, 95% confidence interval 4.05-5.20) and 3 focusing on the impact of 20 µM EGCG (ES = 2.84, 95% confidence interval 2.60-3.10).
The findings suggest beneficial effects of dietary bioactive compounds such as SFN and EGCG and their effect on BC cells by restoring estrogen receptor gene expression, modulating epigenetic changes and events, and interfering with tumor growth rate.
Publication bias limits the generalizability of the conclusions.
Although being relevant, the evidence for the use of broccoli, GRA and SFN in humans are limited; thus, further intervention studies are needed to evaluate outcomes more consistently and reach better grounded conclusions.
Conzatti A et al. · Nutricion hospitalaria (2014)
Although being relevant, the evidence for the use of broccoli, GRA and SFN in humans are limited; thus, further intervention studies are needed to evaluate outcomes more consistently and reach better grounded conclusions.
Further research warranted to confirm findings
17Systematic Review2026
Robust human efficacy data remain lacking for chronic inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea, whereas the strongest current human evidence relates to UV-associated skin outcomes and photoprotection.
Liu H et al. · Nutrients (2026)
Preclinical studies and limited human data suggest that sulforaphane may reduce erythema, edema, and other markers of cutaneous damage in selected settings.
Overall, sulforaphane should presently be regarded as a promising but still early-stage translational candidate in dermatology.
Robust human efficacy data remain lacking for chronic inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea, whereas the strongest current human evidence relates to UV-associated skin outcomes and photoprotection.
18Cancer prevention and therapy outcomesSystematic Review2026
Finally, translational challenges, including limited bioavailability, dose optimization, and standardization of broccoli-derived preparations, are discussed as critical factors for successfully translating SFN therapies from bench to bedside.
Jang JY et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2026)
Epidemiological studies have consistently associated cruciferous vegetable intake with reduced cancer risk, while mechanistic research has elucidated the capacity of SFN to modulate redox balance, detoxification pathways, and epigenetic processes.
Recent clinical trials have further demonstrated its potential to reduce carcinogenic biomarker levels and support metabolic detoxification.
This review integrates evidence from epidemiological observations, molecular mechanisms, and clinical studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of SFN in cancer prevention and therapy.
The significant improvements in the Negative Symptom Score from the PANSS 5-Factor model and the original PANSS Negative Symptom Score in the sulforaphane group suggest the potential of sulforaphane as an adjunctive treatment for ameliorating negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia.
Chen H et al. · Journal of psychiatric research (2025)
Sulforaphane also demonstrated a significant reduction in the original PANSS Negative Symptom Score between groups (p = 0.029).
The significant improvements in the Negative Symptom Score from the PANSS 5-Factor model and the original PANSS Negative Symptom Score in the sulforaphane group suggest the potential of sulforaphane as an adjunctive treatment for ameliorating negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia.
Further research is warranted to explore the effects of sulforaphane on cognitive function.
20Fasting blood glucoseRCTCited 15×n=74 · small study2025
This rct examined the effects of Sulforaphane.
Dwibedi C et al. · Nature microbiology (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
BSE did not meet the prespecified primary outcome, and the overall effect in individuals with prediabetes was a 0.2 mmol l-1 reduction in fasting blood glucose (95% confidence interval -0.44 to -0.01; P = 0.04).
The abundance of this gene operon correlated with sulforaphane serum concentration.
These findings suggest a combined influence of host pathophysiology and gut microbiota on metabolic treatment response, and exploratory analyses need to be confirmed in future trials.