Flashback: Why you should be sprouting…
Sprouts
refers to eating plants sprouted from seed about a week into their lives. Common sprouts are alfalfa, broccoli, soy and
mung bean. Sprouts have the highest
concentration and bioavailability of nutrients, they are filled with vitamins,
minerals and enzymes. The health
benefits of sprouts include boosting the metabolism, increase enzymatic
activity throughout the body, aid weight loss, improve digestion, lower
cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, improve skin and eyesight, boost the immune
system and give you more energy!
Sprouts
contain protien and dietary fiber, as well as folate, vitamin K, B vitamins,
vitamin C, Vitamin A and a host of minerals, such as, magnesium, copper,
manganese, zinc, iron, and calcium. They
are a good source of enzymes.
Enzymes
are an important part of the digestive process; they help us absorb nutrients
while breaking down food effectively. Being loaded with fiber, they help pull
toxins out of our system like a sponge. Eating
sprouts is a great way to bring your elimination process into balance, whether
you suffer from constipation or diarrhea.
This wealth of enzymes is not readily available in most foods and can
really energize many bodily functions and metabolic activity.
Sprouts
are high in protein and are highly recommended for vegetarians and vegans to
meet their protien needs. Protein is
needed for many, many bodily functions, the creation and maintenance of cells,
skin regeneration, organ repair, bone and teeth growth, muscle repair and
recovery. Sprouts are very high in
nutrients, but low in calories, and the fiber fills you up, so they are ideal to
add to any weight loss program. They also
inhibit ghrelin, which is the hunger hormone that tells us to eat.
Because
of their high vitamin A content, sprouts are good for your vision. They also prevent macular degeneration,
cataracts, and glaucoma. The high
vitamin C content is a super immune booster.
They stimulate white blood cell count fighting off infectious
disease. Due to the high content of vitamin
B complex, sprouts prevent neural tube defects in infants.
A
study by The Center for Genetics in Washington DC, confirmed that sprouts are
also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered a “good” cholesterol and
can cleanse the blood of “bad” cholesterol.
Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory as well.
Sprouts are high in potassium, a vasodilator, which reduces blood
pressure, atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.
Broccoli
sprouts in particular, have been shown to reduce allergic reactions, such as
asthma, which is an inflammatory reaction of the lungs. A component of broccoli sprouts is the
chemical sulforaphane, which is known to kill c_a_n_c_e_r.(1) I am going to devote an entire blog post to
sulforaphane, there is a LOT of info on that!
Another
powerhouse sprout is watercress, which can correct its DNA if it should be
damaged. According to Dr. Mercola, “Vitamin K
is by far the most prominent nutrient in watercress, with 312% of the daily
recommended value. It forms and strengthens the bones and limits neuronal
damage in the brain, which is helpful in treating Alzheimer's disease. There's
also vitamin C, with 72% of the daily value, closely followed by vitamin A with
64%. Vitamin C provides top-notch infection-fighting power to stave off colds
and flu, help maintain healthy connective tissue, and prevent iron deficiency.
Vitamin A, also known as retinol,
is essential for a properly functioning immune system and produces pigments in
the retina of the eye, an absence of which can cause night blindness.
Manganese is a
cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, and calcium
for strong bones and teeth come in high doses when you eat watercress.
Antioxidant flavonoids like ß carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein protect
from lung and mouth cancers. B-complex vitamins include riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6
(pyridoxine), thiamin, and pantothenic acid, all important for
keeping your cellular metabolic functions at peak performance.”
According to www.organicfacts.net, alfalfa sprouts
prevent cancer, treat menopause and menstruation irregularities due to its high
vitamin K content, great for weight loss, prevents diabetes, lowers cholesterol
levels boosts the immune system, Improves digestion, promotes regeneration,
speeds up the healing process, stimulates metabolism, and is a tonic for skin
care. There are some potential side
effects of alfalfa sprouts that should be taken into consideration, such as an
increased risk of certain kind of c_a_n_c_e_r_s, worsening of autoimmune
diseases,
potential infections, dangerously low blood sugar levels and bleeding problems,
in certain individuals with certain conditions.
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If the font size, color and type are different
- this happens when I transfer the article to blogger, not sure why it happens,
but it was not created that way. So forgive the craziness, and focus on
the information!! As always, this article
is for informational purposes only and is NOT intended as medical advice!!!
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