Do Brussels sprouts mess up your thyroid?
Preliminary Observations on the Effect of Dietary Brussels Sprouts on Thyroid Function
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Despite high glucosinolate content (220 mg/100g), cooked Brussels sprouts had zero measurable effect on thyroid hormones.
Animal studies and biochemical theory strongly suggest these compounds should suppress thyroid function—yet in humans, under real dietary conditions, they didn’t.
Practical Takeaways
Enjoy 1–2 cups of cooked Brussels sprouts daily without fear—your thyroid is fine.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Despite high glucosinolate content (220 mg/100g), cooked Brussels sprouts had zero measurable effect on thyroid hormones.
Animal studies and biochemical theory strongly suggest these compounds should suppress thyroid function—yet in humans, under real dietary conditions, they didn’t.
Practical Takeaways
Enjoy 1–2 cups of cooked Brussels sprouts daily without fear—your thyroid is fine.
Publication
Journal
Human & Experimental Toxicology
Year
1986
Authors
M. McMillan, E. A. Spinks, G. Fenwick
Related Content
Claims (2)
Eating 150 grams of cooked Brussels sprouts every day for four weeks does not change the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood of healthy adults.
Chemicals called glucosinolates found in cruciferous vegetables can reduce the uptake of iodine by thyroid cells, which may lead to decreased production of thyroid hormones.