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That Runner Guy · Apr 23, 2025

What Happened When I Added Broccoli Powder to My Diet for 3 Months

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Nick Butter · That Runner Guy

Amid the chaos of wellness fads, this is a rare find. Quietly powerful and genuinely effective.

I’ll be honest—when I first heard about broccoli powder, my initial reaction was somewhere between curiosity and skepticism. A green powder that could boost my health just by stirring it into my smoothie or into my foods I already make? It sounded too good to be true. But as someone who’s always looking to optimise performance, longevity, and well-being through natural, science-backed methods, I decided to put it to the test.

Three months later, BrocAffex by Smarter Naturally has become a non-negotiable part of my routine. This isn’t a sponsored puff piece—it’s an honest look at what three months of daily sulforaphane-rich broccoli powder has done for me, why the science is so compelling, and how it’s sneakily transformed the way I cook, think, and feel.

I’ve had it for roughly 70 of the 90 days. In shakes, smoothies, cooked food, or just their soup.

BrocAffex is a powdered broccoli supplement developed by Smarter Naturally. It’s made from a unique strain of broccoli naturally rich in glucoraphanin—the precursor to sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is a compound your body produces when you eat vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. But here’s the kicker: the levels in standard supermarket broccoli vary wildly, and cooking often destroys the active enzymes needed to convert glucoraphanin into sulforaphane.

BrocAffex solves that problem. It delivers a consistent, potent dose of bioavailable sulforaphane in an easy-to-use powder. All you need is one small teaspoon stirred into a cold or lukewarm drink or dish. That’s it. No chopping. No steaming. No weird aftertaste.

Try BrocAffex

Cooking often destroys the active enzymes needed to convert glucoraphanin into sulforaphane.

Sulforaphane, a powerful plant compound found primarily in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and especially broccoli sprouts, has been studied extensively over the past two decades. Emerging science shows that this phytochemical might just be one of nature’s most potent health protectors. Let’s explore what sulforaphane does for the body backed by real science.

One of sulforaphane’s most profound actions is activating a protein called Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2). Nrf2 is a transcription factor that acts like a cellular thermostat, regulating over 200 genes involved in antioxidant production, detoxification, and inflammation control.

Why it matters: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are central contributors to aging and diseases like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.

Scientific Source:

Sulforaphane enhances the liver’s ability to neutralize and eliminate toxins by stimulating phase II detoxification enzymes—such as glutathione S-transferase (GST), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). These enzymes are crucial for clearing environmental pollutants, alcohol byproducts, and harmful chemicals.

Why it matters: In today’s world, we are constantly exposed to pollutants, plastics, pesticides, and heavy metals. Our liver needs all the support it can get.

Scientific Source:

  • Fahey JW et al., 1997
    Broccoli sprouts: an exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens

Sulforaphane may be neuroprotective. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and reduces inflammation in the brain. Preliminary studies in animals and humans suggest potential benefits in mood, memory, cognition, and even neurological diseases like autism and Alzheimer’s.

Why it matters: Brain fog, cognitive decline, and neuroinflammation are major concerns as we age.

Scientific Source:

This is one of the most researched areas. Sulforaphane appears to inhibit carcinogenesis at multiple stages: by neutralizing carcinogens, preventing DNA damage, promoting apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells, and inhibiting tumor blood supply.

Studies have shown its strongest effects in prostate, breast, colon, lung, and skin cancers.

Why it matters: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally. Daily habits, including diet, can have a powerful preventive effect.

Scientific Source:

Sulforaphane’s ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress naturally strengthens the immune system. It supports white blood cell function and inflammatory balance, which are crucial for both preventing infections and managing autoimmune conditions.

Why it matters: Immune resilience is essential, especially with increasing global health challenges.

Scientific Source:

When I began using BrocAffex, I didn’t expect dramatic overnight results. This was more about stacking the odds in my favor for long-term health. But I was surprised by a few things I noticed early on:

After about two weeks, I noticed a subtle shift. I was waking up easier, without that groggy mental fog. No change in sleep schedule, no extra caffeine, just a steadier kind of alertness. It felt like my baseline energy had nudged forward.

Though BrocAffex isn’t a fiber supplement, the improved gut function was real. Less bloating. A bit more regularity. Likely thanks to the anti-inflammatory effects sulforaphane has on the gut lining and microbiome support.

This is my biggest day to day benefit - Cognition - I’ve noticed I'm more ‘on it’ - I can focus more, and for longer. On days I added BrocAffex to my smoothies I felt sharper, more focused during work and less mentally fatigued. It’s a hard thing to measure, but it felt like my brain fog was simply, less foggy.

Knowing the potential long term benefits, especially when it comes to chronic disease prevention—has made BrocAffex one of the few "supplements" I’m truly excited about. It’s rare to find a natural compound with this much robust research behind it.

Try BrocAffex

Here’s what really sealed the deal: it’s just so easy. I’ve mixed BrocAffex into smoothies, cold soups, guacamole (yes, really), and even salad dressings. The taste is subtle—earthy, a little green—but it doesn’t overpower. Top tip, add lemon or lime.

What makes it so tasty is that it doesn’t try to mask what it is, it embraces the earthiness of broccoli in a clean, natural way. It blends seamlessly into other flavors, and when paired with lemon, garlic, avocado, or ginger, it actually enhances the dish with a fresh, umami undertone. There’s a reason it’s become a mainstay in everything from my morning shakes to savory dressings.

  1. One-Pot Broccoli & Chickpea Curry
    Ingredients: Coconut milk, curry powder, onion, garlic, canned chickpeas, chopped broccoli, BrocAffex (added at the end), lime juice. Serve with quinoa. High in plant-based protein and rich in fiber.

  2. Broccoli Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl
    Ingredients: Chicken breast, garlic, ginger, tamari, sesame oil, chopped broccoli, bell pepper. Stir-fry in one pan. Add BrocAffex just before serving. A lean, muscle-building meal packed with flavor.

  3. One-Pan Salmon & Broccoli Bake (cooked for others, I don’t eat fish because I’m trying to save the oceans)
    Ingredients: Salmon fillets, lemon, olive oil, garlic, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets. Roast together, then drizzle with BrocAffex lemon dressing. Omega 3s meet cruciferous power.

  4. Creamy Broccoli Lentil Stew
    Ingredients: Red lentils, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, broccoli, vegetable broth, coconut cream. Add BrocAffex after cooking. Comfort food with a protein and anti-inflammatory punch.

  5. Egg & Broccoli Frittata
    Ingredients: Eggs, chopped broccoli, feta cheese, onion, fresh herbs, BrocAffex stirred in before baking. Great for breakfast, lunch, or meal prep—high in protein and low in carbs.

Try BrocAffex

One of the things I love most about working with Smarter Naturally is the people. This is not some faceless wellness company pushing trendy ingredients. It’s a small, dedicated team of genuinely kind, passionate individuals who care deeply about human health.

Over the past few months, I’ve worked closely with Laura and Arran, two brilliant minds behind the brand. Their mission is refreshingly clear: to help more people access the long-term health benefits of sulforaphane in a simple, sustainable way. They’re not just product developers—they’re educators, listeners, and passionate health advocates.

Behind the scenes, you can feel how much the whole team puts into this—from the science and sourcing to the packaging and communications. It’s rare to find a supplement company with such a human touch, and that makes me even more proud to share BrocAffex with my audience.

If you’re someone who wants to take a proactive, science-informed approach to your health, I can’t recommend BrocAffex enough. It’s not a magic pill. But it is a deeply smart one.

The research around sulforaphane is real, robust, and growing—and this is one of the most efficient, reliable ways to get it. I’m still eating my broccoli (of course), but I now have a daily insurance policy in the form of a green teaspoon stirred into my life.

Smarter Naturally didn’t just make broccoli easier to eat. They made it more effective, too. And in a world full of wellness noise, that’s a win worth toasting—with a smoothie, of course.

If you want to look after your long term health, building BrocAffex into your daily routine is a no brainer.

  1. Prostate Cancer UK – Diet and Lifestyle Advice
    📍 https://prostatecanceruk.org

    This UK-based charity offers research-backed information on how diet, including foods rich in sulforaphane, may impact prostate health and cancer risk.

  2. Linus Pauling Institute – Sulforaphane (Micronutrient Information Center)
    📍 https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/isothiocyanates
    A highly reputable academic source that breaks down sulforaphane’s mechanisms, benefits, and food sources.

  3. National Cancer Institute – Cruciferous Vegetables and Cancer Prevention
    📍 https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/cruciferous-vegetables-fact-sheet
    Detailed overview of how cruciferous vegetables may reduce cancer risk, with references to key studies on compounds like sulforaphane.

  4. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Vegetables and Disease Prevention
    📍 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vegetables/
    Practical and science-based dietary advice, including why vegetables like broccoli are so powerful for health.

  5. PubMed Central – Free Full-Text Research Articles on Sulforaphane
    📍 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=sulforaphane
    Search for peer-reviewed research on sulforaphane across numerous medical and scientific journals.

  6. The World’s Healthiest Foods – Broccoli
    📍 https://whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=9
    An evidence-based nutritional breakdown of broccoli, including sulforaphane content and its effects on human health.

  7. NIH ClinicalTrials.gov – Sulforaphane in Clinical Research
    📍 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=sulforaphane
    Track ongoing and completed human trials involving sulforaphane and related compounds.

  8. Dr. Rhonda Patrick – Interview and Research Compilation on Sulforaphane
    📍 https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/sulforaphane
    Dr. Patrick is a prominent biochemist and health educator. Her platform offers in-depth podcasts, infographics, and summaries of sulforaphane research.

  9. SproutPeople – How to Grow Broccoli Sprouts at Home
    📍 https://sproutpeople.org/growing-broccoli-sprouts/
    A step-by-step guide for those interested in growing their own broccoli sprouts, a top source of sulforaphane.

  10. ConsumerLab – Independent Testing of Sulforaphane Supplements
    📍 https://www.consumerlab.com

    (Subscription required for full access) Offers lab-tested reviews on supplements like BrocAffex and Avmacol for potency and purity.

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