So why sprouts? Sprouts are nutrient-packed foods. They are economical, easy to digest, full of oxygen and enzymes, and are grown with no chemicals.
These little guys are packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes and essential fatty acids and are a great source of protein. Typically when it comes to eating raw, one of the questions that I receive most is, "Where do you get your protein?" Well, sprouts are one of the best foods high in digestible protein. In addition, when sprouted and eaten, they provide the body with a form of living energy. When you eat a sprout, you are eating a tiny, easy-to-digest plant that is at its peak nutritional value. The seed releases all its stored nutrients to become a plant, and you get the best of what it has to offer.
As the sprouting process continues, carbohydrates are transformed by the enzymes into simple sugars, complex proteins into amino acids, and fats into fatty acids, all of which are easily digestible. All the vitamins necessary for health are supplied to you when you eat plenty of sprouts and living foods. Right up to the moment you eat a little wee sprout, it is growing and increasing in nutritional value. The nutrients remain intact until you begin chewing them.
Let's explore some the different sprouts and their benefits in more detail. We can go on with the benefits, but here are some simple highlights.
Alfalfa Sprouts
Alfalfa is a blood builder, decreases blood cholesterol, helps with arthritis, diabetes, and ulcers. It may reduce breast cancer.
Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts reduce the chances of cancer more so than the actual vegetable.
Buckwheat Sprouts
These little guys rid the body of cholesterol, therefore aiding in decreasing chances of heart attacks or strokes. They also aid in circulation.
Mung Bean Sprouts
These sprouts are packed with protein, hair and nail builders, and loads of fiber. They also regulate blood sugar.
Pea Shoots Sprouts
Pea shoots are kidney and muscle builders. They aid in cancer prevention.
Sunflower Sprouts
Sunflowers are more than just beautiful in nature. They are rich in protein and trace minerals and happen to be one of my favorite sprouts.
Wheatgrass
There are too many to name, but here are a few benefits of wheatgrass: detoxifies liver, fights and neutralizes tumors, stimulates thyroid, corrects obesity, and lowers blood pressure.
What is so super about sprouts is that it can be grown indoors, in any climate or weather, and they mature in a few days. There are two popular methods to sprouting. One way is by using soil, and an even easier method is simply using a wide mouth mason jar.
I have always wanted to learn how to grow my own indoor sprouts with soil. Having come from a family that has always grown their own fruits and vegetables, it's a shame that I didn’t even know how to cultivate a plant without it dying soon after. I can now confidently say that I enjoy eating my own grown sprouts using both the soil and the jar method. It’s so simple, even I can do it.
Sprouting is a great way to optimize your nutrient intake and activates the life force for the plant, which increases enzyme activity and makes nutrients more available. You can throw them in a blender or toss them in your salad. If you have a high-end juicer, you can even juice them.
Now that you know that sprouts are easy, inexpensive, fresh, delicious and packed with many vitamins and minerals with abundance of protein and fatty acids, go out there and “Sprout it out!”
