Broccoli Sprout Extract Review

Broccoli sprouts have existed for millennia. But new studies have indicated that Broccoli Sprout Extract could have some powerful health benefits.

Discover those health benefits today in our Broccoli Sprout Extract review.

What is Broccoli Sprout Extract?

Broccoli sprout extract is the purified, powdered form of broccoli sprouts. Normal broccoli is dried and reduced to form an extract. That extract is then sold in the form of dietary supplements.

Why is Broccoli Sprout Extract Good for You?

The benefits of broccoli sprout extract are similar to the benefits of eating broccoli – they’re just more powerful. The extract delivers higher doses of broccoli into your body, which means the health benefits are magnified.

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, one cup of chopped broccoli (one serving, or about 90 grams) contains 31 calories with 6 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, and 0 grams of fat.

That single serving also provides 100% of your daily recommended dose of vitamin C and vitamin K while providing a good source of vitamin A, folate, and potassium.

Broccoli is also one of the top 10 best foods in the world by its “ANDI” score. ANDI stands for Aggregate Nutrient Density Index and it measures the phytochemical, vitamin, and mineral content of different nutrients. It’s an effective way to assess the nutritional value of vegetables.

Broccoli ranks number 9 on the ANDI list, surrounded by other well-known healthy vegetables like kale (number 1), spinach (number 4), and Brussels sprouts (number 5).

What Are the Benefits of Broccoli Sprout Extract?

Here are a few of the known benefits of broccoli and broccoli sprout extract:

Improve Bone Health

Raising your intake of vitamin K has been shown to improve bone health. One serving of broccoli provides 92 mcg of vitamin K, which is well over 100% of your daily recommended value.

Vitamin K isn’t actually used directly by your bones. Instead, it boosts calcium absorption and reduces the amount of calcium you urinate out of the body. Thus, your body has more calcium and can use that calcium more effectively.

Look Younger and Repair Damaged Skin

Vitamin C is a well-known powerful antioxidant. As mentioned above, broccoli has over 100% of your daily recommended value of vitamin C in a single serving. Vitamin C can be used to fight skin damage and target free radicals in your skin, which reduces wrinkles and improves the overall texture of your skin. More importantly, vitamin C can also raise collagen levels, which smoothes the skin even further. Collagen is the main support chemical in the skin and is vital for healthy-looking skin.

Improve Digestion and Naturally Detoxify your Body

Broccoli has been shown to reduce your risk of constipation. It helps you maintain a healthy digestive tract and lower your risk of colon cancer. This is because broccoli is rich with fiber, and fiber helps to collect toxins in your digestive tract and push those toxins out of the body.

Recent studies have also indicated that good dietary fiber intake can improve the immune system and reduce inflammation throughout the body. Whether you’re going on a cleanse or just want to maintain regular digestive health, broccoli might be the food that helps you do it.

Reduce your Risk of Chronic Disease

Broccoli can reduce your risk of multiple types of chronic diseases. One study from the Department of Internal Medicine and Nutritional Sciences Program at the University of Kentucky showed that high fiber intake – like the fiber contained in broccoli – has been associated with “significantly lower risks” of all of the following chronic diseases:

— Coronary Heart Disease
— Stroke
— Hypertension
— Diabetes
— Obesity
— Gastrointestinal Diseases

It’s thought that fiber reduces your risk of chronic diseases by lowering blood pressure, regulating cholesterol levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and promoting weight loss among obese people.

2015 Study Shows that Broccoli Sprout Extract Can Prevent Head and Neck Cancers

This study is the reason why broccoli sprout extract has been in the news lately: researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center recently conducted a study on the effects of broccoli powder extract on mice.

Mice were exposed to an environmental carcinogen (a cancer-causing chemical) and then separated into groups. One group received broccoli powder extract and another group received a placebo.

Mice that receives the broccoli sprout extract were observed to have a reduced risk of head and neck cancers, including mouth, throat, and esophagus cancers.

Encouraged by their results, the researchers moved onto a test group of 10 healthy human volunteers who received daily doses of broccoli powder. While these humans weren’t exposed to the same carcinogen, they were observed to have the same biological factors in mucus membranes of the oral cavity as the mice did.

These biological factors appear to reduce the risk of cancer in the targeted area and prevent its spread. Early results are promising, and UPMC researchers plan to continue conducting studies

The research is particularly important because mouth and throat cancers have some of the highest fatality rates and relapse rates. Many of those who survive their first throat and mouth cancer will have a relapse, and the second cancer attack is often fatal.

It’s also important because air pollution problems around the world are leading to higher rates of mouth and throat cancers. One of the researchers on the UPMC study had previously conducted a study in China showing that those who eat two daily servings of broccoli were better able to purge air pollution toxins from their bodies.

Are There Any Broccoli Sprout Extract Health Risks?

Broccoli sprout extract is associated with many health benefits, but it’s also been linked to one health risk. If you take a blood thinner like Coumadin, also known as warfarin, then you should not be eating foods rich in vitamin K – like broccoli.

Vitamin K can negatively interact with this medicine and lead to blood clotting.

Of course, if you’re not taking blood thinner medications, then you can eat as much broccoli as you like (within reason) without worrying about side effects.

How to Buy Broccoli Sprout Extract

Thanks to all the recent media attention for broccoli sprout extract, supplement manufacturers have started to create their own broccoli sprout extract supplements.

These supplements typically contain a small amount of powdered broccoli sprout extract contained in tablets or capsules. You take the supplement daily as directed to enjoy the health benefits.

A quick Google Search reveals about a dozen different broccoli sprout extract supplements available online from Amazon. Supplements typically cost about $10 to $15 for a one month supply.

Specific dosages vary between supplements. Some supplements have 1,000mg of extract per serving, while others have 500mg.

Another important thing to remember is the quality of the broccoli extract. The Vitacost Broccoli Sprout Extract sold on Amazon, for example, has 1,000 mg per serving and standardizes its extract to 6% glucosinolates.

Should You Use Broccoli Sprout Extract?

It’s no secret that a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables can have powerful health benefits. A number of studies have shown this – including the recent study from the Pitt/UPMC researchers.

But eating your recommended daily amount of broccoli and cruciferous vegetables can be difficult. Which is why supplement manufacturers have made it easy. For $10 to $15, you can buy a monthly supply of broccoli sprout extract from most pharmacies, drug stores, and online retail outlets like Amazon.

If you want to enjoy possible anti-cancer benefits and other valuable health effects, then broccoli sprout extract could be a powerful daily supplement for you.