Broccoli Sprout Extract May Lower Blood Sugar

A study conducted by scientists at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden examined the effects of sulforaphane, a compound present in cruciferous vegetables, on blood sugar levels.

Broccoli. Photo: Tyrrell Fitness And Nutrition/Unsplash

The research involved 74 individuals aged 35 to 75 who were classified as prediabetic due to rising blood sugar levels. All participants were overweight or obese.

For 12 weeks, the volunteers received either a daily dose of sulforaphane or a placebo. The group that took sulforaphane exhibited a significant reduction in blood sugar levels, according to the study’s findings.

"The treatment of prediabetes is currently lacking in many respects, but these new findings open the way for possible precision treatment using sulforaphane extracted from broccoli as a functional food," said Anders Rosengren, a molecular physiologist at the University of Gothenburg.

Some participants experienced an even greater decrease in blood sugar. Those with mild age-related diabetes symptoms, a lower body mass index, low insulin resistance, a lower prevalence of fatty liver disease, and reduced insulin secretion saw reductions twice the average rate.

The study also found that gut bacteria play a role in the effectiveness of sulforaphane. Researchers identified the bacterial gene BT2160, which is involved in sulforaphane activation.

Participants with a higher presence of this gene in their gut microbiome experienced an average blood sugar reduction of 0.7 millimoles per liter, compared to 0.2 mmol/L for the sulforaphane group overall.

These differences highlight the need for personalized approaches to prediabetes treatment. Understanding which groups respond best to specific interventions could improve treatment effectiveness.

"The results of the study also offer a general model of how pathophysiology and gut flora interact with and influence treatment responses – a model that could have broader implications," Rosengren said.

Prediabetes affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, with incidence rates rising rapidly. Between 70% and 80% of individuals with prediabetes eventually develop type 2 diabetes, though the rate varies based on factors such as gender and diagnostic criteria.

With prediabetes often going undiagnosed or untreated, preventing its progression is a major health priority. While the findings suggest sulforaphane could be a useful tool, researchers stress that a comprehensive approach remains key to reducing diabetes risk.

"Lifestyle factors remain the foundation of any treatment for prediabetes, including exercise, healthy eating, and weight loss," Rosengren said. (Tasnim News Agency)

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