This broccoli lowers a blood marker linked to heart disease, but it hasn’t been shown to prevent heart attacks or strokes.

Scientific Claim

Consumption of high glucoraphanin broccoli does not reduce heart disease events, as the study only measured LDL cholesterol as a biomarker, not clinical outcomes.

Original Statement

“The paper overstates the mechanism by suggesting the Nrf2/PTEN/AMPK pathway is the cause — this is a hypothesis based on animal studies, not proven in humans. Also, claims that 'broccoli reduces heart disease risk' are unsupported — LDL-C reduction is a biomarker, not a clinical outcome.”

From study:Diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL cholesterol: Evidence from randomised controlled trials

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 study design (biomarker-only outcome) cannot assess clinical events. The claim correctly reflects this limitation and aligns with the study’s own cautionary note.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

Diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL cholesterol: Evidence from randomised controlled trials

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

This study found that eating a special kind of broccoli lowers 'bad' cholesterol, which is a major cause of heart disease — so saying it doesn’t help heart health is wrong, even if they didn’t count heart attacks.

Source Study

Diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL cholesterol: Evidence from randomised controlled trials

Score: 75

DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201400863

Similar Assertions

Eating this special broccoli lowers bad cholesterol but doesn’t change good cholesterol, overall cholesterol, or fat levels in the blood.

88%

Eating a specific type of broccoli with more of a natural compound called glucoraphanin for 3 months lowers bad cholesterol more than regular broccoli does.

85%

The special broccoli lowers bad cholesterol equally well whether your cholesterol was already high or just a little elevated, but regular broccoli only helps if your cholesterol was already high.

84%

This special broccoli lowers bad cholesterol about as much as other well-known heart-healthy foods like oats or plant sterols.

83%

Scientists think the broccoli works by turning on certain body signals that reduce cholesterol, but this idea comes from mouse studies, not from proof in people.

80%