Glucoraphanin-rich broccoli sprout extracts may improve sleep quality

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• Increased oxidative stress and inflammation cause abnormal sleep regulation. Sulforaphane, which is derived from glucoraphanin, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study was reported to explore the effects of sulforaphane on sleep quality. 

  
  

  Eighteen healthy adults who reported poor sleep quality consumed broccoli sprout capsules (30 mg glucoraphanin) or placebo capsules for 4 weeks. The capsules were made from broccoli sprout extracts, and the sprouts were grown from specially selected seeds for 1 d after germination. Placebo capsules were prepared similarly without incorporating broccoli sprout extract. 

  
  

  The visual analogue scale questionnaire on sleep quality (4.8 ± 1.6 vs. 6.4 ± 1.9) and area under the curve of melatonin concentration (109.7 ± 80.0 pg/mL・h vs. 143.5 ± 79.9 pg/mL・h) were significantly increased and prostaglandin D2 levels at
  

  21:00 (44.2 ± 24.6 pg/mL vs. 20.2 ± 15.5 pg/mL) were significantly decreased in the broccoli sprout extract group. 

  
  

  These suggest that sulforaphane may improvesleep quality by increasing melatonin and anti-inflammatory activity. 

  
  

  Reference：Kikuchi M , Aoki Y , Kishimoto N , et al. Effects of glucoraphanin-rich broccoli sprout extracts on sleep quality in healthy adults: An exploratory study[J]. Journal of Functional Foods, 2021, 84(10):104574.