Sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) and autism
What 4 graded rows on sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) agree on for autism, and where they differ. Counted side by side, never averaged.
Consensus finder Rows from the Sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) page, reviewed Oct 21, 2026 How it decides
What the rows agree on
Each block and row is one graded row from the Sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) page, with its PubMed record.
Your question
Sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) and autism
4 rows · 513 peopleSplit. 2 rows found an improvement, 1 found no difference and 1 had mixed results.
- CGrade C× 2
- DGrade D× 2
- Rows
- 4
- Trials
- 9
- People
- 513
- Pooled reviews may count some twice
Where they differ
From the rowsThe best-graded row, grade C, is a meta-analysis of 333 people (2025) and found an improvement.
The 2 rows that found an improvement were larger: a median of 189 people, against 28 people for the row that found no difference.
Only the 2 rows that found an improvement include pooled reviews of several trials (1 of 2); the row that found no difference is a single study.
Only the 2 rows that found an improvement name men in their population. Only the row that found no difference names children or teens in its population.
The best grade is C among the rows that found an improvement, and D among the row that found no difference.
1 row with mixed results is left out of this comparison.
The rows
2 improved · 1 no difference · 1 mixed- CGrade CSocial responsiveness in autism (pooled) · Improved
Meta-analysis, 6 studies · n 333 · 2025 · People with autism spectrum disorder (6 placebo-controlled trials)
As given in each trial · 4–5 and 8–10 weeks (pooled time points)
Social Responsiveness Scale scores fell more than with placebo at both 4–5 and 8–10 weeks; adverse events did not differ from placebo.
Row on the Sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) page · PubMed 41275316 (opens PubMed)
- DGrade DAutism behaviour scales in adolescents and young men · Improved
RCT · n 44 · 2014 · Males aged 13 to 27 with moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder
50–150 µmol/day · 18 weeks, then 4 weeks off
Aberrant Behavior Checklist scores fell 34% and Social Responsiveness Scale scores 17% with sulforaphane vs under 3.3% change on placebo; scores rose toward baseline after stopping.
Row on the Sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) page · PubMed 25313065 (opens PubMed)
- DGrade DAutism behaviour scales in children aged 3–7 · No difference
RCT · n 28 · 2023 · Children aged 3 to 7 with autism spectrum disorder (Czech Republic)
Not stated in the abstract · 36 weeks
ABC, SRS-2 and ADOS-2 scores improved in both groups with no significant difference from placebo at 18 or 36 weeks.
Row on the Sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) page · PubMed 36771424 (opens PubMed)
- CGrade CAutism behaviour scales in children · Mixed
RCT · n 108 · 2024 · Children with autism spectrum disorder (multi-centre trial, China)
Not stated in the abstract · 12 weeks
Caregiver-rated scales did not differ from placebo; clinician-rated scales improved, and one third of participants had at least a 30% score drop by 12 weeks. Sulforaphane was well tolerated, including in young children.
Row on the Sulforaphane (broccoli sprout extract) page · PubMed 36427174 (opens PubMed)