Many of us hated anything green when we were kids. We disliked and dismissed broccoli and everything that tastes bitter or smells strong, setting them aside on the gloomy corner of our plates.

But if you’re now a parent, you know how important it is for children to get as many nutrient-rich veggies growing up.

Designed to make the cruciferous vegetable more palatable, broccoli gummies have been circulating among health-conscious crowds as a convenient nutrient supplement.

Here’s everything you should know about broccoli gummies.

What Are Broccoli Gummies?

Broccoli contains many vitamins and minerals. It’s rich in antioxidants, aids in blood sugar regulation, supports heart health, promotes good digestion, helps fight cancer, supports cognitive function, and much more.

Now, imagine all those in a convenient, delicious, and chewy gummy package.

Broccoli gummies are essentially flavored supplements infused with broccoli sprout extract called sulforaphane. The natural chemical has been linked to powerful health benefits.

Rich in sulfur, sulforaphane can be found in other veggies, including cabbage, kale, and bok choy. However, the compound is more concentrated in young broccoli plants that are 3 to 5 days old, ten to one hundred times higher than in mature flowers.

Broccoli sprouts, the primary ingredient in broccoli gummies, are considered a superfood. Because of their high sulforaphane profile, many use them for prostate cancer, autism, asthma, hay fever, and liver disease, among others.

What Are the Benefits of Broccoli Gummies?

Sulforaphane, found in broccoli gummies, is associated with various health benefits. Consuming supplements with sulforaphane may contribute to improved overall health. Other benefits may include:

• Cardiovascular Health: Several studies found that the chemical in broccoli sprouts improves heart health, reducing the risks of atherosclerosis and hypertension.
• Autism Therapy: Those who suffer from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may observe improved social skills, verbal communication, and other behavioral improvements.
• Brain Health: Broccoli gummies with sulforaphane content may support children’s cognitive function, including their focus, attention, and learning. 
• Alleviate Inflammation: Sulforaphane works with your body’s natural proteins to produce more antioxidants, preventing inflammation and its potential damage.
• Prevent Cancer: Experts observed that sulforaphane has anti-cancer effects in the body, reducing susceptibility to carcinogens and helping prevent cancer cells from spreading.

People with a history of diabetes could benefit from taking sulforaphane supplements, like broccoli gummies. Clinical research found that sulforaphane improves blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.

What Are the Downsides of Broccoli Gummies?

Just because broccoli gummies use extract from natural sources doesn’t mean they’re completely risk-free. Like most processed supplements, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider before adding veggie gummies to your diet.

One common concern is the concentrated sulforaphane. While the amount present in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is generally safe, supplements typically contain potent doses of sulforaphane.

Ingesting large quantities of the compound may interfere with certain medications, reducing their effectiveness, particularly those used to treat hypertension, arthritis, and liquid retention.

Minor side effects associated with taking sulforaphane supplements like broccoli gummies include constipation, diarrhea, and increased gas. Some also report experiencing nausea and vomiting.

Another potential drawback is the sugar content in some broccoli gummy brands. Not to mention artificial flavorings. While there are supplements marketed as “sugar-free,” it’s always safer to check the product’s label for its content information.

Do Broccoli Gummies Work?

Sulforaphane supplements, like broccoli gummies, can be beneficial by providing a convenient source of the compound found in broccoli and other cabbage varieties. 

Taken moderately, the supplement may offer anti-cancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and other health perks. Evidence also indicates enhanced brain health, as sulforaphane reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and cognitive decline.

However, despite their growing popularity, it’s crucial to remember that taking broccoli gummies isn’t the same as eating the vegetable.

Bottom Line

Parents often make vegetables appealing and fun in a hopeful bid that the children somehow forget about their aversion. Sometimes it works, many times it doesn’t.

But for those who can’t, for the life of them, eat broccoli because of its bitter and strong smell, broccoli gummies could be a fantastic option to get that much-needed sulforaphane compound.