Broccoli sprout extract (BSE) might help control blood sugar, according to a new study. While not all patients responded equally, some could see significant improvements in their prediabetes diagnosis.

A Placebo-Controlled Trial

Prediabetes is a condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels that do not yet meet the threshold for diabetes. The condition affects millions worldwide and is a precursor to Type 2 diabetes.

The study, published on Feb. 10 in Nature Microbiology, was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 74 prediabetic participants who were not receiving diabetes medications. After three months, participants taking the BSE had an average drop in fasting blood sugar levels of 0.2 mmol/L compared with those who took the placebo. Each BSE dose contained 26.6 mg of sulforaphane, close to a typical serving of broccoli sprouts (about 1 cup) containing approximately 227.5 mg of the compound.

However, this reduction fell short of the researchers’ initial blood sugar reduction target of 0.3 mmol/L.

Personalized Response to BSE Treatment

A subgroup of participants with lower risk for metabolic disease, characterized by mild obesity, low insulin resistance, and reduced insulin secretion, were identified as “responders” by researchers in further analyses. They exhibited a more significant reduction in blood sugar levels, averaging 0.4 mmol/L.

This suggests the effectiveness of BSE treatment may vary among individuals, underscoring the importance of personalized interventions, according to the researchers.

The study’s authors suggest that BSE works by inhibiting the creation of more glucose in the liver, which reduces blood sugar levels. This effect is attributed to sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli sprouts.

Effect on the Microbiome of Sulforaphane

In addition to monitoring fasting blood glucose, the study investigated the gut microbiome’s role in influencing the effectiveness of BSE treatment. Researchers collected stool samples before and after BSE treatment or a placebo to do this.

Results showed that those with certain specific bacteria profiles responded better to the BSE treatment.

A correlation between “the abundance of a particular gene operon and sulforaphane serum concentration,” suggesting a link between the gut microbiome, the active compound in BSE, and blood sugar regulation was noted by the researchers.

A gene operon is a cluster of genes on a DNA strand that are regulated together, allowing bacteria to adapt to environmental changes depending on factors such as food sources.

A well-known example is the lac operon in bacteria, which helps them break down lactose, a sugar found in milk.

According to researchers, this suggests that our gut bacteria and personal health conditions work together in ways that could change how effective treatments are, which is important for personalized medicine.

Benefits and Cautions

Sulforaphane is a sulfur-containing compound found primarily in cruciferous vegetables.

Beyond blood sugar regulation, sulforaphane boasts antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.

Eating raw or lightly steamed cruciferous vegetables is the best way to maximize sulforaphane intake, Chris Mohr, a registered dietitian and nutrition advisor at Garage Gym Reviews, told The Epoch Times.

“Broccoli sprouts have the highest [sulforaphane] concentration, and adding them to salads, sandwiches, or smoothies is an easy option,” Mohr, who holds a doctorate in exercise physiology, said. “Cooking can reduce sulforaphane levels, so steaming for a short time or consuming vegetables raw is ideal.”

While participants receiving BSE reported mild gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and loose stools, no severe health problems were observed. All cruciferous vegetables are known to have side effects that include bloating and gas “due to the nature of their make-up,” Emily Feivor, a registered dietitian at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Medical Center in New York, told The Epoch Times.

Mohr advises caution for people on blood-thinning medications because of the vitamin K content of cruciferous vegetables, which can interfere with blood clotting. “If taking thyroid medication, excessive raw cruciferous intake may impact thyroid function, so moderation is key,” he said.

Nutrition-Based Treatment

Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of personalized interventions for prediabetes, as the effectiveness of treatments can vary significantly among individuals.

Despite finding that the overall effect of BSE on blood sugar did not reach its desired endpoint, the researchers noted that their results could pave the way for tailored nutrition-based treatments aimed at addressing prediabetes.

“This opens an avenue for precision treatment of prediabetes based on the individual pathophysiology and gut microbiota composition that may have general implications,” the study authors wrote.