Diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL cholesterol: Evidence from randomised controlled trials.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to standard broccoli.
Results Summary
High glucoraphanin broccoli significantly reduced plasma LDL-C by 7.1% in one study and 5.1% in another, while standard broccoli showed smaller, non-significant reductions. The combined data confirmed that high glucoraphanin broccoli had a significantly greater effect.
Population
130 volunteers across two independent studies.
Effective Dosage
400 g of high glucoraphanin or standard broccoli per week.
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cruciferous-rich diets | decrease | plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) | - | - | have been associated with reduction | #1 |
a diet rich in high glucoraphanin (HG) broccoli | decrease | plasma LDL-C | - | - | will reduce | #2 |
HG broccoli diet | decrease | plasma LDL-C | 37 volunteers | 7.1% (95% CI: -1.8%, -12.3%, p = 0.011) | reduced | #3 |
standard broccoli | decrease | LDL-C | 37 volunteers | 1.8% (95% CI +3.9%, -7.5%, ns) | reduced | #4 |
HG broccoli diet | decrease | plasma LDL-C | 93 volunteers | 5.1% (95% CI: -2.1%, -8.1%, p = 0.001) | resulted in a reduction | #5 |
standard broccoli | decrease | LDL-C | 93 volunteers | 2.5% (95% CI: +0.8%, -5.7%, ns) | reduced | #6 |
HG broccoli | decrease | LDL-C | - | - | reduction in LDL-C ... was significantly greater than standard broccoli | #7 |
consumption of high glucoraphanin broccoli | decrease | plasma LDL-C | - | - | significantly reduces | #8 |
SCOPE: Cruciferous-rich diets have been associated with reduction in plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), which may be due to the action of isothiocyanates derived from glucosinolates that accumulate in these vegetables. This study tests the hypothesis that a diet rich in high glucoraphanin (HG) broccoli will reduce plasma LDL-C. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirty volunteers were recruited to two independent double-blind, randomly allocated parallel dietary intervention studies, and were assigned to consume either 400 g standard broccoli or 400 g HG broccoli per week for 12 weeks. Plasma lipids were quantified before and after the intervention. In study 1 (37 volunteers), the HG broccoli diet reduced plasma LDL-C by 7.1% (95% CI: -1.8%, -12.3%, p = 0.011), whereas standard broccoli reduced LDL-C by 1.8% (95% CI +3.9%, -7.5%, ns). In study 2 (93 volunteers), the HG broccoli diet resulted in a reduction of 5.1% (95% CI: -2.1%, -8.1%, p = 0.001), whereas standard broccoli reduced LDL-C by 2.5% (95% CI: +0.8%, -5.7%, ns). When data from the two studies were combined the reduction in LDL-C by the HG broccoli was significantly greater than standard broccoli (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Evidence from two independent human studies indicates that consumption of high glucoraphanin broccoli significantly reduces plasma LDL-C.