The company, which uses a unique variety of broccoli known as GRextra in its soup, is shifting its focus from Lincolnshire to Cupar, Fife, due to the region’s experienced brassica growers and robust labour supply.

A SmarterNaturally spokesperson said: “We are pleased with how the Scottish farms produce our special type of brassica and they have the experience and knowledge to meet all our company’s requirements. We are very confident they will handle any increase in demand in the coming months and years.”

SmarterNaturally’s soup harnesses the health-boosting properties of glucoraphanin, found in high concentrations in their specially-grown broccoli. Glucoraphanin is metabolised into sulforaphane, a compound that activates antioxidant genes and contributes to maintaining a healthier metabolism, particularly as individuals age. Regular consumption of glucoraphanin-rich foods can reportedly help mitigate the risk of chronic conditions typically associated with ageing, including heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

The company’s super-strength broccoli is freeze-dried and incorporated into the soup, which has been gathering momentum for its potential benefits in lowering blood sugar levels and aiding in the prevention of type-2 diabetes.

Smarter Food CEO Laura Knight said: “Getting this soup to market to help tackle high blood sugar is just the first step. There is a large and growing body of high-quality published research that glucoraphanin may also help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as having a positive impact on various types of cancer, including prostate and breast cancer.

“With the potential to benefit so many individuals, prevent disease and alleviate pressure from our over-stretched healthcare system, we’re excited about the possibilities this could unlock.”

The super soup, developed in collaboration with the Quadrum Institute and selling at a comparable cost to five heads of raw broccoli (£5 per bowl), provides an easily consumable and palatable source of glucoraphanin. The soup overcomes the problem of inactivation of the health-boosting enzyme during cooking, often faced by consumers of broccoli.

Lead scientist for SmarterNaturally, Professor Richard Mithen, said: “SmarterNaturally Soup aims to help keep our metabolism young. Research suggests that eating one bowl a week could deliver enough glucoraphanin and other healthy nutrients to help people maintain a healthy metabolism, which is associated with a reduced risk of developing age-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.”

“What Sulforaphane does is turn on a set of genes that are regulated by the protein NRF2, involved in blood sugar control,” said Steve Morrison, a medical biochemist who is head of clinical research for SmarterNaturally.

“Stored sugar is drawn out of the body and we are prevented from laying down more sugar, so that blood glucose levels are lowered when the glucoraphanin-rich broccoli is consumed regularly.”