Based on NIH | Does eating broccoli at night affect omeprazole absorption or effectiveness?

Eating broccoli at night is unlikely to meaningfully reduce the absorption or effectiveness of omeprazole for most people. Omeprazole works by turning off acid pumps in the stomach, and its effect depends mainly on how and when you take the dose, as well as interactions with certain medicines not typical foods like broccoli. Standard guidance is to take omeprazole on an empty stomach, about 30–60 minutes before a meal, because food especially a larger, high‑fat meal can lower how much drug your body absorbs. ^{[1] [2]}

How omeprazole absorption is affected by food

• Omeprazole’s absorption is reduced if taken close to or after eating, because food delays activation and uptake of the drug. For example, when an omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate product is taken one hour after a meal, overall exposure (AUC) drops by about 24% compared with taking it one hour before a meal. ^[1] With certain combination tablets (aspirin + omeprazole), taking the dose with a high‑fat, high‑calorie meal can reduce omeprazole exposure by 67–84% versus fasting. ^[2]
• These data support the common advice to time omeprazole before food for best effect. This timing guidance applies regardless of what you eat later broccoli itself is not singled out as a problem. ^{[1] [2]}

Known interactions that matter more than broccoli

• Omeprazole can change the absorption of other drugs by raising stomach pH; this may decrease the absorption of medicines that need acid (like certain antifungals or iron salts) and can increase absorption of others (like digoxin). These are medication interactions, not food-based issues. ^[3] The same pattern is noted consistently across official prescribing information. ^{[4] [5]}
• Omeprazole also interacts with specific drugs through liver enzymes (mainly CYP2C19), which can matter for medicines like clopidogrel or phenytoin, but this is unrelated to vegetable intake. Such interactions are drug–drug, not food–drug with broccoli. ^{[6] [7]}

What about cruciferous vegetables and liver enzymes?

Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, kale, cabbage) contain natural compounds that can influence liver enzymes in research settings. Human feeding studies show cruciferous vegetables can increase activity of CYP1A2, an enzyme not central to how omeprazole is cleared. ^[8] In animal studies, kale feeding inhibited several enzymes (including CYP2C19, which helps metabolize omeprazole), tending to raise omeprazole levels in rats; however, these are high‑dose, short‑term animal data and do not prove a clinically important effect in humans. ^[9]
Overall, there is no high‑quality human evidence that normal broccoli consumption at dinner diminishes omeprazole’s benefit. Clinical guidance does not list broccoli or cruciferous vegetables as a contraindicated food with omeprazole. ^{[10] [11]}

Practical advice for taking omeprazole

• Timing matters most: Take omeprazole on an empty stomach, ideally 30–60 minutes before breakfast (or the main meal when symptoms are worst), to maximize pump inhibition. Avoid taking the dose right after eating, as food can markedly lower absorption. ^{[1] [2]}
• Consistency helps: Take it at the same time each day. The specific food you eat later, including broccoli, is not expected to block its effect if you’ve timed the dose correctly. ^{[1] [2]}
• Watch medications, not vegetables: If you also take drugs that need stomach acid (e.g., certain antifungals or iron), discuss timing or alternatives with your clinician. Omeprazole can reduce their absorption by raising stomach pH. ^{[3] [4]}

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Quick reference table

Topic	What the evidence shows	What it means for you
Taking omeprazole with/after meals	Food can reduce omeprazole exposure (e.g., ~24% lower AUC 1 hour after a meal; up to 67–84% with high‑fat meals in certain combos)	Take 30–60 minutes before a meal for best effect. [1] [2]
Broccoli or cruciferous vegetables	No human data showing clinically meaningful reduction in omeprazole effect; not listed as a food interaction in official guidance	Eating broccoli at night is unlikely to impair omeprazole if dosing is timed properly. [10] [11]
Effects on other drugs	Omeprazole raises gastric pH, decreasing absorption of acid‑dependent drugs and increasing some others	Be cautious with certain medications (e.g., ketoconazole, iron salts, digoxin). [3] [4]

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Bottom line

• Broccoli at night does not appear to reduce omeprazole’s absorption or effectiveness when omeprazole is taken correctly (on an empty stomach 30–60 minutes before a meal). ^{[1] [2]}
• Focus on dose timing and known medication interactions, rather than avoiding specific vegetables. ^{[3] [4]}

If you have persistent symptoms despite proper timing, or you take medicines that may interact with omeprazole, it would be reasonable to discuss adjustments with your healthcare professional.