Nrf2 pathway + nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide pathway
BACKED BY SCIENCE
Brocolyte is built on two of the most extensively studied compounds in endurance science: Isothiocyanates (ITCs) sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts and dietary nitrate from beetroot, both backed by decades of research.
Fuelled by nitrate, from beetroot.
THE NITRATE–NITRITE–NO PATHWAY
Beetroot is one of nature's richest sources of dietary nitrate. Your body converts nitrate into nitrite and then nitric oxide, a molecule that supports blood flow and oxygen efficiency. It works best when oxygen levels are low, which is why it's built for your hardest efforts.
Activated by sulforaphane, from broccoli sprouts.
THE NRF2 PATHWAY
Hard training creates oxidative stress — a natural by-product of pushing your body. Sulforaphane switches on the Nrf2 pathway, your body's own antioxidant-defense system, helping it manage that stress from the inside. It's the recovery and resilience side of Brocolyte, and one of the most researched compounds in the field.
Modulated by curcumin, from turmeric.
THE NF-κB PATHWAY
Hard training flips on NF-κB — the body's master switch for the inflammatory response. Curcumin, turmeric's active compound, helps keep that switch in balance rather than running unchecked. It's one of the most studied plant compounds in the world, and turmeric's role in the Brocolyte stack.
Modulated by gingerols, from ginger.
THE COX-2 / TRPV1 PATHWAY
COX-2 drives the inflammatory signals that build up during and after intense effort. Ginger's active compounds — gingerols and shogaols — help temper that pathway, and also act on TRPV1, the body's "heat and soothing" receptor. Ginger rounds out the stack, working alongside turmeric on the calming side.
SULFORAPHANE AND ENDURANCE CAPACITY
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate from broccoli, activated the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and increased endurance running distance, while lowering markers of oxidative stress and muscle damage after exhausting exercise.
SULFORAPHANE PROTECTS MUSCLE FROM EXHAUSTIVE EXERCISE
In a study at the University of Bologna, sulforaphane pre-treatment protected skeletal muscle against damage caused by exhaustive exercise and strengthened the body's own phase-II antioxidant defenses.
NITRATE IMPACT ON ACUTE TRAINING TESTS
In a randomized, double-blind study, a single dose of beetroot nitrate taken before exercise lowered the oxygen cost of submaximal cycling and extended time to exhaustion.
NITRATE PROTECTS MUSCLE DURING DISUSE
In a controlled study, dietary nitrate preserved mitochondrial function and muscle protein synthesis rates during short-term immobilisation, guarding against disuse-related muscle decline.
GINGER REDUCES EXERCISE MUSCLE PAIN
Across two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, daily ginger reduced muscle pain by around 25% the day after intense eccentric exercise.
GINGER AND TRAINING PERFORMANCE
In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, ginger supplementation improved workout performance while lowering perceived exertion and neuromuscular fatigue in trained athletes.
TURMERIC AND MUSCLE RECOVERY
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness and lowered markers of muscle damage in the days following intense exercise.
TURMERIC AFTER ENDURANCE RUNNING
In a randomised, placebo-controlled trial, a curcumin formulation reduced muscle soreness and the extent of muscle injury after a demanding bout of downhill running.
The research
Broccoli-sprout sulforaphane
Sulforaphane Supplement Eases Muscle Soreness Post-Exercise
Read article →NRF2 Activation Boosts Exercise Endurance via Muscle Redox Modulation
Read article →Sulforaphane Protects Muscles from Exercise-Induced Damage
Read article →Sulforaphane Prevents Age-Related Muscle Decline via NRF2
Read article →Broccoli Sprouts Help Detox Benzene Exposure in Humans
Read article →The research
Beetroot nitrate
Beetroot Nitrate Lowers the Oxygen Cost of Exercise and Extends Endurance
Read article →Acute Beetroot Nitrate Improves Cycling Time-Trial Performance
Read article →Beetroot Juice & Exercise: Finding the Optimal Dose
Read article →Nitrate Improves 10 km Time-Trial Performance in Trained Cyclists
Read article →Dietary Nitrate Improves Muscle Contractile Power
Read article →