Overview

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is a common vegetable eaten as food. Other varieties of Brassica oleracea include kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.

Chemicals in broccoli might help prevent cancer and have antioxidant effects. Also, when broccoli is eaten with a starch, it slows down how quickly sugar from the starch goes into the blood, which might benefit people with diabetes.

People use broccoli for high cholesterol, fibromyalgia, preventing certain cancers, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don't confuse broccoli with broccoli sprout, or with chemicals found in broccoli, including ascorbigen and indole-3-carbinol. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Colon cancer, rectal cancer. Eating broccoli and related vegetables might help prevent colorectal cancer.
There is interest in using broccoli for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Broccoli is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if broccoli is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Broccoli is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if broccoli is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Broccoli is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if broccoli is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with BROCCOLI

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Broccoli might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) substrates) interacts with BROCCOLI

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Broccoli might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Dosing

Broccoli is commonly eaten as a vegetable.

As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of broccoli might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.