Bioavailability of broccoli sprouts in different human overweight populations

Broccoli sprouts rich in glucosinolates have shown interesting properties mitigating the inflammatory status linked to obesity. Studies performed in healthy lean subjects have shown that these compounds possess good bioavailability, however long-term studies in overweight populations are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of broccoli sprouts in overweight adults: men, non-menopausal women and post-menopausal women. An in vivo controlled parallel study was performed in 69 healthy overweight subjects that consumed broccoli sprouts (30 g/day) during 5 weeks, with a follow-up phase of 5 weeks of normal diet without broccoli sprouts. Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03390855. Metabolites from glutathione detoxification pathway increased in all groups after 5 weeks of broccoli consumption, especially in post-menopausal women (Sulphoraphane-N-Acetyl cysteine levels from 0.0656 nmol/mg creatinine to 1.8191 nmol/mg creatinine, p < 0.001) and similar behaviour was observed for Sulphoraphane and Sulphoraphane-Cysteine. Post-menopausal condition was associated with higher levels of metabolites.