#364 - Sulforaphane gives Broccoli Superpowers

If you've never heard of sulforaphane, you aren't alone. But in the world of nutritional science, it is celebrated for its superpowers!

Sulforaphane is a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts. By far the highest amount is found in broccoli sprouts - not the full grown vegetable. Sulforaphane has been extensively studied and found to have protective effects against many diseases, including multiple types of cancer, heart disease, and neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, stroke, and others.

When it comes to the brain and nervous system, sulforaphane offers a handful of key benefits.

1. It’s an antioxidant
2. It’s anti-inflammatory
3. It promotes autophagy
4. It promotes mitochondrial function
5. It increases neurogenesis
6. It promotes detoxification

All of these functions of course have broad and systemic benefits as well, beyond the brain!

When it comes to special phytonutrients like sulforaphane, we are big advocates of consuming them in whole food forms, i.e. broccoli sprouts, as opposed to encapsulated supplements. In the whole food, you receive the sulforaphane, but also tons of other phytonutrients as well as vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc. that aid in the synergistic effects of these sorts of healing compounds.

Highlights from this episode

• How sulforaphane support cardiovascular function
• How sulforaphane has been shown to protect again neurological conditions and support overall brain function
• The detox-promoting properties of sulforaphane
• So many more random benefits of sulforaphane that have been studied
• How to increase your intake of sulforaphane in the diet with specific foods and cooking methods

Links to some more good stuff

- Get the Alter Health weekly WFPB Meal Guides: https://www.alter.health/meal-guides
- Cleanse with Us during the next Alter Health Cleanse: https://www.alter.health/cleanse
- Work with us in the Thrive on Plants program: https://www.alter.health/thrive-on-plants