Broccoli (brassica oleracea var. italica)
Synopsis
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is a cruciferous vegetable native to the Mediterranean region, widely recognized for its dense nutritional profile and disease-preventive properties. A member of the Brassicaceae family, broccoli is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and potent phytonutrients such as glucosinolates, which convert into sulforaphane, one of the most studied plant compounds for detoxification, antioxidant defense, and anti-cancer potential.
Nutritional highlights of broccoli include:
- Vitamin C and vitamin K – for immune health, collagen synthesis, and bone support
- Folate and B vitamins – important for DNA synthesis and energy metabolism
- Fiber – supports digestion, satiety, and gut health
- Sulforaphane – boosts the body’s phase II detox enzymes, combats oxidative stress, and may protect against cancer
- Lutein and zeaxanthin – carotenoids beneficial for eye health
- Calcium, iron, magnesium, and trace minerals
Health benefits of broccoli include:
- Supporting liver detoxification and hormone clearance
- Reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress
- Protecting against cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, especially breast, prostate, and colon
- Improving gut health and supporting microbial diversity
- Supporting cognitive and neuroprotective function, especially with sulforaphane-rich extracts
- Broccoli is consumed as fresh, steamed, roasted, or in powdered, sprouted, or extract forms (such as broccoli sprout extract for sulforaphane concentration).
Historical Use:
Broccoli has been cultivated since the Roman Empire, with its use as a digestive tonic and general health food rooted in Mediterranean folk practices. It was highly regarded by the ancient Romans and later introduced into other parts of Europe, becoming especially prominent in Italian cooking and herbal tradition.
Though broccoli was not a central herb in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda or TCM, the Brassica genus as a whole (which includes cabbage, kale, and mustard) was used for cleansing, digestion, and immune strengthening.
The modern scientific interest in broccoli began in the 20th century, particularly with the discovery of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, compounds that modulate detox enzymes, estrogen metabolism, and cellular defense systems. Today, broccoli is widely studied in nutritional science, oncology, and integrative medicine for its role in chronic disease prevention, and remains a core food in functional and preventive health protocols.
Body Systems
Glandular System (Science)
Immune System (Science)
Liver (Science)
Products containing this ingredient
Pure Encapsulations
Balanced Immune
Designs For Health
BroccoProtect™
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics
Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
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Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
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Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics
Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics
Clear Change Daily Essentials
Integrative Therapeutics
Curcumax Pro
Integrative Therapeutics
Detoxication Factors
Integrative Therapeutics
Detoxication Factors
Pure Encapsulations
DIM Detox
Designs For Health
EssentiaGreens™
Designs For Health
FemGuard+Balance™
Metagenics
GlutaClear®
Pure Encapsulations
HM Complex
Pure Encapsulations
HM Complex
Thorne
Hormone Advantage DIM Advantage
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Douglas Laboratories
Liquid Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
Liver G.I. Detox
Douglas Laboratories
Methlyated Resveratrol Plus
Designs For Health
PaleoGreens®
Designs For Health
PaleoGreens®
Designs For Health
PhytoBiome™
Metagenics
PhytoGanix® Tropical Fruit
Designs For Health
Primal Multi™
Vitabase
Prostate Complex (Formerly Prostate Complete)
Metagenics
SulforaClear®
Pure Encapsulations
Th1 Support
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra I-3-C
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Protein Green
Metagenics
UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics
UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics
UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
UltraDetox 10-Day Pure Pack