Compound Found In Cruciferous Vegetables May Help Improve Working Memory

Glucoraphanin is a natural glycoinsolate found in cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli. Glucoraphanin is converted into sulforaphane (a powerful antioxidant) when consumed. A recent study suggests that supplementation with glucoraphanin may help improve memory and processing speed.

Participants in the study included 144 adults with an average age of 67.7. They were assigned to one of four groups for 12 weeks:

1. Brain training and 90 mg daily of glucoraphanin;
2. Brain training and a placebo;
3. Active control game and 90 mg daily of glucoraphanin;
4. Active control game and a placebo.

The brain training activity used was Brain Age, mathematical games used to train cognitive function. The active control game used was Tetris. Participants played Brain Age or Tetris for 15 minutes every day for 12 weeks. Participants kept a record of their scores, which were used to evaluate processing speed, attention, working memory, and short-term memory.

Participants in the brain training groups had more improvement in processing speed compared to the active control game group. Participants in the glucoraphanin groups saw significant improvements in processing speed and working memory, compared to the placebo groups.

The study was conducted by researchers from Tohoku University.It was published online ahead of print on January 25, 2021 in the journal Nutrients.