Even in people who can't break down certain compounds from broccoli well, the more of those compounds they have in their body, the lower their inflammation marker goes.
Scientific Claim
In healthy young adults aged 20–40 with the GSTM1-null/GSTT1-null genotype, higher urinary isothiocyanate excretion is associated with lower serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations, suggesting that even in individuals lacking both major detoxifying enzymes, systemic exposure to isothiocyanates may still modulate inflammation.
Original Statement
“Twenty-four-hour urinary isothiocyanate excretion was not associated with any of the inflammation markers overall; however, IL-6 was inversely associated with total isothiocyanate excretion in GSTM1-null/GSTT1-null individuals (β = -0.12; 95% CI: -0.19, -0.05).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The RCT measured exposure (urinary isothiocyanates) and outcome (IL-6) in a controlled setting. The significant β-coefficient in the subgroup supports a causal interpretation within this genetic context.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Even when people lack the enzymes that usually process compounds in broccoli and similar veggies, those compounds still seem to help lower inflammation markers in their blood—this study found that the more of these compounds they excreted in urine, the lower their inflammation levels were.