Nomio: The Secret Powers of Broccoli
By Seiji Ishii
Editor in Chief
How broccoli sprouts became the secret weapon of elite athletes.
When cycling world champion Mads Pedersen described his experience using Nomio during the Gent-Wevelgem classic, his words captured something remarkable:
“And it helped me, for sure, to win. To be honest, this was the performance of my life. I did a 90-minute best ever, 400 watts. And the most crazy part is how I went all out, but was still able to recover quickly after each climb. So my legs just felt amazing. With Nomio, I have a different feeling on the bike.”
This is the real-world result of eight years of clinical research that has transformed an unlikely vegetable into a cutting-edge performance enhancer.
From Lab to Podium: The Karolinska Connection
Nomio’s foundation lies in rigorous scientific research conducted at two of Europe’s most prestigious institutions: the Karolinska Institute and the Swedish School of Sports Science.
The research program has been developing for over a decade, with the team initially contributing to groundbreaking nitrate research—the science behind beetroot juice’s ability to improve oxygen efficiency and endurance performance—before pioneering the study of ITCs for athletic performance.
Research on the isothiocyanates (ITCs) in broccoli sprouts and exercise adaptations began at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), with the first study published in 2023.
Broccoli Sprouts? Really?
At first glance, an elite sports drink made primarily from broccoli sprouts is absurd.
Yet Nomio contains 80% broccoli sprout extracts, 15% lemon, and just 5% sugar – a simple formula, but it masks sophisticated science.
The key lies in ITCs, naturally occurring molecules found in cruciferous vegetables¹. These bioactive substances have been well-documented for over 30 years, but their application to exercise performance represents a breakthrough discovery. Nomio sources its ITCs from “carefully cultivated, non-domesticated strains of organic broccoli sprouts.”
The Science: How ITCs Transform Performance
The mechanism behind Nomio’s effectiveness centers on two primary pathways:
Lactate Reduction: In clinical studies at GIH, ITCs showed a 12% reduction in blood lactate during sub-maximal training tests². Lactate buildup is one of the primary limiting factors in endurance performance³.
Oxidative Stress Protection: ITCs activate the Nrf2 system – a regulator of antioxidative enzymes⁴. This protects muscles during intense exercise, with studies showing a 10% decrease in oxidative stress compared to a placebo⁵. The high bioavailability of ITCs (~75% vs 1-2% for other Nrf2-activators) makes this effect particularly strong⁶.
Clinical Evidence: The Double-Blind Studies
In a double-blinded crossover study, participants who took ITCs experienced faster performance improvements compared to placebo⁷.
The latest study, published as a pre-print in 2025, showed that a single dose of ITCs significantly reduced blood lactate during sub-maximal exercise². Researchers found that the optimal ITC dose follows a U-shaped curve, with the most effective amount matching the ITC content in one Nomio shot.
Beyond the Lab: Elite Athlete Results
Elite athletes other than Mads have validated the transition from laboratory to real-world performance:
Andreas Almgren, European 10km road record holder, reports, “I used Nomio in preparation for Valencia 10km 2025, to get comfortable in race pace and to optimise my recovery after those workouts. I also used Nomio on race day in order to maximise my performance.”
William Poromaa, World Cup winner in cross-country skiing, stated, “Nomio optimizes my training adaptation and has an acute impact on my heart rate variability, contributing to enhanced recovery. These factors are essential for my performance as an elite athlete.”
How to Use Nomio
For optimal performance, consume Nomio 2-3 hours before training or competition, as the acute effect peaks 3 hours after consumption. The product can also be used during harder training days for improved recovery and enhanced muscle adaptations.
Unlike many sports supplements, Nomio has shown no adverse health effects and is entirely organic⁸. It’s also fully compliant with WADA guidelines, making it suitable for competitive athletes at all levels.
Not Just for Athletes
Research indicates that ITCs offer additional benefits, including preventing muscle atrophy in aging, protecting against liver damage from alcohol consumption and helping detoxify airborne pollutants⁹. These findings suggest Nomio’s benefits extend beyond athletic performance into general health optimization.
The Future of Natural Performance Enhancement
As the Nomio team states, it brings “clinically proven natural compounds to athletes who care about performing” with “25 years behind them of major breakthroughs in natural molecules’ enhancement of human physiology.” Pretty impressive.
The company represents a shift toward evidence-based natural performance enhancement, moving away from synthetic compounds toward sophisticated applications of plant biochemistry.
Nomio contains “a wide variety of isothiocyanate strains, with many less-known varieties,” suggesting that current applications may only scratch the surface of these compounds’ potential.
Broccoli? Who Knew?
Nomio represents a convergence of rigorous scientific research and practical athletic application. With eight years of clinical testing with top athletes, the product demonstrates how natural compounds, when properly understood and applied, can deliver measurable performance benefits.
For athletes seeking evidence-based performance enhancement, Nomio offers a rare combination – peer-reviewed research, real-world validation from elite competitors and a commitment to natural ingredients.
In an industry often dominated by marketing claims over scientific evidence, Nomio’s foundation in academic research and clinical validation offers a refreshing approach to sports nutrition.
References
Linus Pauling Institute - Isothiocyanates
Glucosinolate-rich beverage lowers blood lactate concentrations during submaximal exercise - bioRxiv
Novel insights into athlete physical recovery concerning lactate metabolism - PMC
Sulforaphane and Other Nutrigenomic Nrf2 Activators - PMC
Protective Effects of Sulforaphane on Exercise-Induced Organ Damage - PMC
Editorial: Sulforaphane and isothiocyanates in health - Frontiers
Glucosinolate-rich broccoli sprouts protect against oxidative stress and improve adaptations to intense exercise training - PubMed
Effect of a sulforaphane supplement on muscle soreness and damage induced by eccentric exercise - PubMed
The Integrative Role of Sulforaphane in Preventing Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Fatigue - MDPI