25
Sprouts
If microgreens are considered tiny plants, then sprouts would have to be tinier plants. And they grow fast! Depending on the type of seed you’re sprouting, they can take as little as two to three days. Alfalfa sprouts are the most famous, but many of the foods we eat begin as sprouts, so there is quite a variety. Common types include greens, microgreens, grains, nuts, seeds, brassicas, grasses, and legumes.
Sprouts can be grown in soil, however most people grow them in glass jars or actual sprouters that have been designed for such things. Advantages of using sprouters include better drainage and air flow, which will prevent the development of mold.
I’m sure you know by now the advantage of eating a diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables. However, one common complaint to getting more of these is affordability.
You see, plants at the sprout stage of their life cycle have exponentially more nutrients than their fully-grown selves. And at a fraction of the cost. Providing you a super high quality food source and a super low price. And did I mention how ridiculously easy it is to grow sprouts? No? Well, it is. So no excuses!
Sprouts Benefits
Each type of sprout you grow will come with its own set of benefits. For instance, alfalfa sprouts are a great source of vitamins A, C, D, E, K, along with many of the B vitamins. While broccoli sprouts are also nutritionally dense, and have specific anti-cancer benefits. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, 5 grams of broccoli sprouts contain the same amount of glucoraphanin found in 150 grams of mature broccoli.
Glucoraphanin is a glucosinolate found in broccoli and cauliflower, particularly in the young sprouts. Enzymes transform glucoraphanin into sulforaphane, which has anti-cancer properties. The point to take away here is that by consuming the sprouts instead of mature broccoli, you get 30 times the amount of this cancer-fighting compound. But this is normal.
Sprouts and microgreens can contain as much as 40 times the nutrient density of fully grown plants. And they can contain up to 100 times more enzymes, making them much easier to digest, while also significantly improving nutrient absorption. Imagine that. Exponentially more nutrients in a form that our bodies can better absorb.
Getting back to the anti-cancer effects of broccoli sprouts, this 2010 study found that the sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts was able to inhibit breast cancer stem cells.[123] While this 2011 study discovered that, “the bioavailability of sulforaphane and erucin is dramatically lower when subjects consume broccoli supplements compared to fresh broccoli sprouts.”[124]
Proof that food will always be your best medicine. Especially superfoods.
Compared to fully-matured vegetables, sprouts benefits include …
- Very inexpensive
- Always organic (if using organic seeds)
- Locally grown & super fresh
- Much more (and better) protein
- More alkalizing
- Richer in oxygen & chlorophyll
- More essential fat