5 Vegetable Sprouts Good for Your Health

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There is no doubt that sprout eating has a variety of nutritional, health and environmental benefits. Many studies show that germinated seeds are the most nutritious vegetables in the world. If you haven’t already added sprouts to your diet, it’s time to catch up.

Sprouting at home is both fun and easy. The only difficulty consists in choosing among the wide variety of seeds. To facilitate your choice, take a look at the brief list of seed ideas below. Feel free to experiment and enjoy fresh, homegrown sprouts all year round. Just make sure you take some precautions before you start sprouting – buy seeds always from a certified supplier and sterilize the container in which you desire to germinate your seeds.

  • Clover Sprouts

Clover sprouts grow easily and they are wonderful source of many vital nutrients. They are small sprouts with slightly spicier taste. Clover sprouts go well in salads and sandwiches and offer impressive health benefits. They provide vitamin C, vitamin A, B complex, vitamin K; fiber, protein, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, zinc, selenium and magnesium. It’s enough to eat bout a cup, or one serving, of clover sprouts in order to meet your daily needs of iron. This mineral is essential for blood production and is needed for oxygen transport in it.

Clover sprouts are also high in protein, but they don’t supply all of the essential amino acids. Therefore, combine them with various grains and vegetables. As rich sources of fiber, they will they help you maintain your weight. Fibers slow digestion and prolongs the feeling of fullness. In addition, foods rich in fibers your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

  • Alfalfa Sprouts

Alfalfa sprouts are part of the pea family and they have sweet nutty flavour. Add to salads or prepare highly nutritive juices with pleasant, mild taste. They supply the full range of vitamins, from vitamin A, B complex, as well as vitamins C, E and K. If you place Alfalfa sprouts in direct sun, they will produce chlorophyll which increases the production of blood proteins and improves blood oxygenation. These remarkable sprouts contain no fat and only 8 calories per cup. They have small amounts of calcium and potassium. Calcium is essential for the bones while potassium regulates the heart and keeps our muscles healthy.

As a source of phytoestrogens, Alfalfa sprouts reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and even cancer. They help lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Last but not least, they are among the vegetables with highest antioxidant values.

  • Arugula Sprouts

Arugula is a leafy plant with gelatinous seeds. Its sprouts have a strong garlic flavour and they a good addition to salads, soups or sandwiches. Arugula sprouts contain a lot of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They are rich in vitamins A, B, C, K, E, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, niacin. Besides, they contain essential amino acids and up to 25% protein.

All this makes arugula sprouts significant allies in the fight against free radicals. They have cancer protection effects and decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Thanks to their high levels of carotenoids, arugula sprouts keep illnesses at bay and give your skin a healthy glow.

  • Broccoli Sprouts

Broccoli sprouts have a mild taste, similar to alfalfa sprouts. True health-promoting food, those delicious sprouts are packed with a vast array of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. They contain vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, sodium.

The large amount of enzymes increase the vitality of our body and strengthen the immune system. Broccoli sprouts have a high content of antioxidants called sulphoraphanes. Those disease-fighting compounds a potent tool against cancer and arthritis. Sulphoraphanes also help with blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes by reducing the insulin resistance.

  • Buckwheat Sprouts

Buckwheat is known as a gluten free meat substitute and although its seeds are small, they are very rich in protein, antioxidants and amino acids. Buckwheat sprouts have a pleasant, mild taste. They have no cholesterol and are low in fat. Sprouts form buckwheat contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, iron, zinc, magnesium, folate and other nutrients.

Thanks to their high fiber content, buckwheat sprouts promote digestion and reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels. They draw out excess fluids and toxins from our body. Last but non least, recent studies have shown that eating such sprouts can help control diabetes.

Article sources:
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-arugula.html
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=news&dbid=38
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/01/why-sprout.html

Diana Newman