A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg suggests that sulforaphane, a chemical compound found in broccoli sprouts, could help improve blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes, a condition that often leads to type 2 diabetes. Published in Nature Microbiology, the study reveals promising results that may pave the way for targeted treatments for prediabetes.
The compound sulforaphane has long been recognized for its antidiabetic properties. A 2017 study previously identified its potential in reducing blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, this latest research shifts the focus to prediabetes—characterized by elevated blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance and impaired insulin production—marking a new frontier in managing the disease.
The study, led by Professor Anders Rosengren and colleagues, involved 89 participants aged 35 to 75 with elevated fasting blood sugar levels, a hallmark of prediabetes. These individuals, who were also overweight or obese, were randomly assigned either sulforaphane or a placebo for a twelve-week period. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew which treatment they had been assigned.
Results showed that participants taking sulforaphane experienced a more significant reduction in fasting blood sugar compared to those on the placebo. The findings were particularly striking in clinical subgroups with mild signs of age-related diabetes, low body mass index (BMI), and low insulin resistance. Notably, a subgroup of participants with specific gut bacteria showed even more pronounced improvements, suggesting a potential link between gut health and the efficacy of sulforaphane.
In terms of measurable results, the sulforaphane group saw a 0.2 millimole per liter reduction in fasting blood sugar compared to the placebo. This difference was even greater—0.4 millimoles—in those with mild diabetes and low BMI. For participants with both the favorable clinical characteristics and the gut bacterium, the reduction reached 0.7 millimoles.
The study highlights the possibility of using sulforaphane as part of a personalized treatment plan for prediabetes, especially as the prevalence of this condition in Sweden is estimated to be up to 10%. Although lifestyle changes, including exercise and healthy eating, remain critical, Rosengren emphasizes that early, individualized interventions could significantly reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
“The treatment of prediabetes remains underdeveloped,” says Rosengren. “These new findings open the door for precision treatments using sulforaphane extracted from broccoli, which could be used as a functional food. However, it’s important to remember that lifestyle changes should remain the foundation of any prediabetes treatment.”
The study also offers new insights into the complex relationship between gut bacteria and treatment responses, presenting a model that could have broader implications for personalized medicine in diabetes management.
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