That crunch you feel when biting into broccoli? It’s not just fiber, it’s a dental powerhouse at work. Researchers across three continents have discovered that broccoli releases 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a plant compound now being called nature’s own mouthwash. This tiny molecule floods the mouth with bacteria-fighting potential, triggering an antimicrobial wave that knocks out up to 90% of Streptococcus mutans biofilm, the sticky plaque that causes cavities.
Scientists from Ben-Gurion, Sichuan, and Singapore universities watched in the lab as DIM dismantled oral biofilms, without harming healthy tissue. Even in high concentrations, DIM posed zero toxicity, a rare safety feat that excites oral health chemists dreaming of gentler, smarter mouth-care formulas. Imagine brushing with a compound so clean it could come from your dinner plate.
While DIM-infused toothpaste and chewing gum are still on the horizon, your next forkful of broccoli could act as both cavity defense and cancer prevention, thanks to this cruciferous secret weapon. Until science bottles it, nature already served it, fresh, green, and smiling back at you. Source: Ben-Gurion University, Nature Communications, Singapore National Dental Research Institute.