A compound found in broccoli sprouts could help lower blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes, with the strongest benefits seen in those with specific metabolism types.
Published in Nature Microbiology, the findings show that sulforaphane was particularly effective in individuals who had certain gut bacteria and metabolic profiles.
The University of Gothenburg study involved 89 participants aged between 35 and 75, all with elevated fasting blood sugar and either overweight or obesity.
The 12-week trial randomly assigned participants to receive either sulforaphane or a placebo, with 74 people completing the full study.
Sulforaphane offers significant reductions in fasting blood sugar
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Neither researchers nor participants knew who received which treatment during the trial.
Results showed participants taking sulforaphane experienced greater reductions in fasting blood sugar compared to the placebo group.
The most significant improvements were seen in people with early signs of mild age-related diabetes and relatively lower BMI.
Those with low insulin resistance, reduced fatty liver disease, and lower insulin secretion also showed enhanced benefits.
Senior researcher Anders Rosengren explained that sulforaphane specifically targets increased glucose production in the liver, helping to maintain lower blood sugar levels.
“We have found that sulforaphane, a compound that is highly contained in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, reduces blood glucose in individuals with prediabetes,” he told Medical News Today.
“In the early stages of diabetes, the glucose production from the liver is increased. Sulforaphane interferes specifically with increased glucose production and reduces it. By doing that, fasting blood glucose is kept at lower levels, which is beneficial.
“We found that individuals who have an abundance of specific gut microbe that converts the inactive precursor to active sulforaphane have increased effect.
“This opens an avenue for precision treatment of prediabetes to those who benefit most.”
Sulforaphane can be sourced from broccoli sprouts
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While the findings are promising, experts emphasised that lifestyle changes remain essential for managing prediabetes.
“Many medical professionals are focused on treatment with medication, versus prevention as a primary approach,” says Haley Bishoff, a registered dietitian not involved in the study.
She noted that people with healthy gut bacteria tend to respond better to diabetes treatments overall.
Experts advised that getting therapeutic doses of sulforaphane from broccoli alone would be challenging, requiring several kilograms daily.
“It can be achieved by broccoli sprout extracts,” says Rosengren, though he cautions that sulforaphane content varies widely in marketed products.
Dietitian Courtney Pelitera recommends focusing first on gut health through whole foods, including fermented items like yoghurt, kimchi and kombucha.
