Broccoli: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is a common vegetable eaten as food. Other varieties of Brassica oleracea include kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.

Chemicals in broccoli might help prevent cancer and have antioxidant effects. Also, when broccoli is eaten with a starch, it slows down how quickly sugar from the starch goes into the blood, which might benefit people with diabetes.

People use broccoli for high cholesterol, fibromyalgia, preventing certain cancers, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don't confuse broccoli with broccoli sprout, or with chemicals found in broccoli, including ascorbigen and indole-3-carbinol. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Colon cancer, rectal cancer. Eating broccoli and related vegetables might help prevent colorectal cancer.

There is interest in using broccoli for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Broccoli is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if broccoli is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Broccoli is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if broccoli is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Broccoli is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if broccoli is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Broccoli
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Broccoli might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) substrates) interacts with Broccoli
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Broccoli might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Dosing

Broccoli is commonly eaten as a vegetable.

As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of broccoli might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

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