NCT07373106

Short-term Effects of Broccoli-derived Glucoraphanin on Recovery From Eccentric Muscle Damage

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF BROCCOLI-DERIVED GLUCORAPHANIN ON RECOVERY FROM ECCENTRIC MUSCLE DAMAGE: A DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER STUDY

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 17 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Lithuanian Sports University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Eccentric exercise induces muscle damage and delay functional recovery. Broccoli-derived glucoraphanin (a sulforaphane precursor that activates Nrf2 defenses) may aid repair; however, its short-term effects in humans remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate whether short-term supplementation with broccoli-derived glucoraphanin will improve recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, fifteen participants will consume either high-glucoraphanin broccoli powder (320 μg) or placebo for one week, followed by elbow flexor eccentric exercise and continued supplementation. Strength, soreness, creatine kinase (CK), range of motion (ROM), arm girths, and ultrasound-assessed muscle and tendon morphology will be measured at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 48 and 96 hours post-exercise.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	broccoli powder consumption	Participants underwent two separate sessions of muscle-damaging exercise targeting the elbow flexors: (1) following seven days of broccoli powder consumption (condition X), and (2) following an equivalent placebo regimen (condition Y). The broccoli supplementation consisted of 10 g of broccoli powder \[a freeze-dried glucoraphanin-rich broccoli powder (99.5% broccoli and 0.5% mustard seed)\] dissolved in 125 mL of boiling water, providing 320 μg of glucoraphanin per serving. It was consumed when still hot/warm once daily for seven days before and for four days following the eccentric exercise protocol. The placebo powder, matched in appearance and preparation, contained no broccoli-derived bioactives.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Placebo (no broccoli-derived bioactives)	The placebo powder, matched in appearance and preparation, contained no broccoli-derived bioactives.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-15
• Primary completion: 2026-03-15
• Completion: 2026-03-31
• First posted: 2026-01-28
• Last updated: 2026-01-28