In a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 144 healthy adults aged 60–80, participants received a supplement containing glucoraphanin, a precursor to sulforaphane. The supplement group showed greater improvement on one processing-speed test and lower overall negative mood scores than the placebo group. Benefits were not consistently observed across other cognitive tests, and measured blood markers of antioxidant response, inflammation and neural plasticity did not significantly differ between groups.

This review explores how sulforaphane interacts with processes involved in aging and neurodegeneration, including cellular stress responses, mitochondrial function and the removal of damaged proteins. Laboratory findings suggest potential roles in maintaining cellular function, including protein quality control through the proteasome. Much of the evidence comes from cell and animal models; it does not establish that sulforaphane prevents neurodegenerative disease or extends human lifespan.

This review examines how sulforaphane may influence pathways linking oxidative stress and inflammation with metabolic health. It brings together laboratory, animal and human research on topics including glucose regulation, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function. The authors discuss potential relevance to healthy aging, while noting that clinical research on metabolic outcomes remains limited. Further human studies are needed to clarify effective preparations, doses and longer-term effects.