Broccoli sprouts are sometimes considered for supporting Parkinson's Disease (PD) primarily due to their high content of sulforaphane, a naturally occurring isothiocyanate. Sulforaphane is known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific interest in sulforaphane in the context of PD arises from preclinical studies (mainly in animal models and cell cultures) suggesting it may protect dopaminergic neurons from oxidative stress and neuroinflammation—two key pathological processes in Parkinson’s Disease. For example, research published in journals such as Neuropharmacology and Neurotherapeutics has shown that sulforaphane administration can attenuate neurodegeneration and improve motor function in PD animal models by activating the Nrf2 pathway, a critical regulator of cellular antioxidant defense.

However, there is a lack of direct clinical evidence in humans supporting the use of broccoli sprouts or sulforaphane for treating or preventing Parkinson’s Disease. No large-scale human trials have demonstrated clear clinical benefit, and there are no official recommendations for their use in PD management. The current evidence is promising but preliminary, and thus its use is justified on a scientific (preclinical) basis rather than tradition, with limited evidence supporting efficacy in humans.