Updated April 20, 2026 08:04AM
Recently, the buzz surrounding Nomio broccoli shots has caught the attention of many in the cycling community. If these shots are indeed the next game changer, much like ketones or cherry juice, seasoned cyclists like Tom Pidcock and the Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling team are eager to find out.
Pidcock and his team are integrating this “superfuel” into their regimen as part of a research initiative that could potentially redefine performance enhancement in sports.
The current roster of well-known legal sports supplements, known as the “Big 5”, may soon expand to include Nomio if the company can substantiate its bold assertions.
WorldTour nutritionists might soon be updating their menus, while weekend athletes could be stocking their cupboards with this promising new product.
Launched in 2024, Nomio—a concentrated broccoli drink—has quickly risen to prominence as a highly promoted ergogenic aid in elite sports.
Research conducted by the brand suggests that consuming a few servings daily can lower exercise lactate levels by 12 percent and significantly accelerate recovery post-workout.
High-profile athletes such as Mads Pedersen, renowned U.S. running star Cole Hocker, Ironman champion Casper Stornes, and numerous elite marathon runners have been drawn to this vibrant green concoction.
And Nomio believes this is only the beginning of their journey.
“Our aim is for all Olympians heading to LA 2028 to be using Nomio,” they stated.
Nomio: Great Expectations with Limited Evidence
However, there are many skeptics regarding the broccoli supplement, almost outnumbering its supporters.
When Velo reached out to WorldTour trainers about Nomio, they expressed skepticism, often regarding it as more of a marketing phenomenon than a substantial performance enhancer.
Such skepticism is supported by a lack of scientific backing.
Currently, the only studies that advocate for Nomio come from one of the founders’ own laboratories, relying on enthusiastic amateur athletes who had ample room for performance improvement.
This raised eyebrows, leading many independent experts to dismiss the findings without further scrutiny.
In response, Nomio has partnered with Pinarello-Q36.5 to embark on a long-term research collaboration aimed at enhancing its scientific credibility.
For the Swedish company, collaborating with an elite cycling team offers a chance to validate its claims in a market saturated with dubious products.
For the upstart Swiss team, it represents an opportunity to leverage potential benefits and gain a competitive edge in the cycling world.
Packed with Broccoli and Reduced Lactate in Each Serving
To summarize our previous exploration, Nomio promotes itself based on the power of ITCs.
Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are antioxidant compounds found abundantly in broccoli.
These compounds may aid in managing physical strain and help foster the pathways essential for mitochondrial growth.
Mitochondria are known as the “powerhouses” of metabolism; they create energy crucial for athletic success.
Nomio uses a specialized strain of broccoli sprout known for its impressive concentration of ITCs. According to the brand, one 60ml shot of Nomio equals consuming 2.5kg of raw broccoli.
It is recommended that athletes take two or three shots around their intense workouts to enhance performance, speed up recovery, and facilitate athletic progress.
If the Pidcock initiative proves successful, the value of Nomio’s sprout plantations could rival that of the most productive agricultural fields in Thailand.
What’s Being Tested with Pidcock and Q36.5?
Details regarding the collaboration between Nomio and Pinarello-Q36.5 are still limited.
This co-funded initiative has remained somewhat confidential for nearly a year and was only quietly unveiled earlier this month.
The two organizations were brought together through a mutual contact, Bent Rønnestad. Rønnestad is a leading physiologist who collaborates with team Q36.5 and serves as a scientific advisor to Nomio.
Velo has kept close tabs on both Nomio and team Q36.5, yet neither side has disclosed much about their testing protocols, data sets, or expected findings.
It is understood that the effects of Nomio during altitude training have been a prominent focus of the research, which has included all 30 riders in the ProTeam squad.
This sheds light on the crates of Nomio that were shipped to Chile for training this winter.
“Since last summer, we’ve been testing Nomio across various settings with their top riders,” said Emil Sjölander, co-founder of Nomio, in an interview with Velo.
“We’ve observed very promising data from these trials. The research encompasses impacts on training adaptations, altitude acclimatization, as well as direct assessments of power output and endurance,” Sjölander added.
While neither Sjölander nor the team’s lead nutritionist Adam Plucinski divulged which specific metrics were analyzed beyond power, blood lactate, heart rate, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) seem likely candidates.
“We’ve already run several tests on Nomio,” Plucinski noted. “We’re keen to understand how other biomarkers could influence recovery. Nomio serves as a great partner in this endeavor.”
“Together, we aspire to uncover new methods to push the limits in professional cycling.”
Could Nomio Be the Next Popular Performance Supplement?
Why is this partnership significant? Does it truly matter?
While it’s far-fetched to expect broccoli shots to rival the effects of altitude training or high-carb diets, if Nomio’s claims hold up, these drinks could carve a niche in professional sports.
Consider how we previously scoffed at the idea that cherry juice aids recovery. We are no longer laughing as we witness an overwhelming majority of riders consuming it after every race.
Nomio is equally assured that it has a lot to prove. They are confident that broccoli shots are the next big thing.
“There are numerous questions we aim to tackle with the aid of testing on elite cyclists,” remarked brand founder Sjölander.
“Previously conducted research involved very fit amateurs, but we hypothesize that the effects of ITCs are magnified in highly conditioned athletes. This collaboration will provide the opportunity to validate that hypothesis at the highest competitive level.”
Since Pidcock began including broccoli shots in his training last summer, he’s seen remarkable success, finishing third at the Vuelta a España, dominating at Milan-Torino, and going toe-to-toe with Tadej Pogačar at Milan-San Remo.
Now, following a serious knee injury from a crash in Catalunya, he’s competing in the Tour of the Alps.
Nomio hopes to attribute Pidcock’s recent ascent in professional cycling to their broccoli concoction.
This ongoing research will ultimately determine whether the hype surrounding broccoli shoots is indeed justified.
