Instagram
YouTubeMicrogreens are also healthy! See Are Microgreens Healthier? (2013).
Does sprouting of grains improve their nutrition profile? Yes! Bio-available of both macro- and micro-nutrients improves. Whole Grains Council has some articles that explain:
- All articles on sprouting of whole grains
- Sprouted Whole Grains: an overview article.
- Definitions of Sprouted Grains: how does food industry define 'sprouted grains'?
In videos below, Dr Greger explains that sprouting boosts the antioxidant content of grains, beans and seeds!
(1 min) Transcript. An insightful video: Sprouted grains and lentils have much higher antioxidant power! Many of the sprouts have 2x to 20x the amount of antioxidants as compared with raw seeds.
(5 mins) Transcript. The latter half of this video explores the possibility of improving upon the antioxidant power of bean sprouts by subjecting them to environmental stressors like radiation, heat and cold. For example, does antioxidant power in beans go up by storing them in fridge (4C) for an hour? How about exposure to sun for some time? Or how about simply storing sprouted beans in fridge after 2 to 4 days (after they have sprouted, like some of us do)?
(4 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "How do canned versus germinated beans (such as sprouted lentils) compare when it comes to protecting brain cells and destroying melanoma, kidney, and breast cancer cells."
Since 2007, Dr Greger has discouraged consumption of alfalfa sprouts based on USDA advisory on alfalfa sprouts in place since 1997.
In 2012, in Are Homegrown Alfalfa Sprouts Safe? (2012), Dr Greger explains that the safety problem with alfalfa sprouts "is in the sprout seed itself, and so even if we sprout them ourselves we may be putting our family at risk." He continues, "The answer? Sprout broccoli sprouts instead. They are safer and healthier too!"
(2 mins) Transcript. Alfalfa sprouts are discouraged by multiple organizations like CDC. Why? Concerns for salmonella food poisoning. [At the same time, Dr Greger remarks that eggs cause 1000 times more cases (not 1000 more cases, but 1000 times as many cases) of salmonella food poisoning, yet CDC does not discourage us from eating eggs.]
(1 min) Transcript. In 2010, Dr Greger continued to recommend avoiding alfalfa sprouts. He suggests eating broccoli sprouts instead.
From nutrition standpoint, broccoli sprouts are quite special! They belong to the cruciferous family, so they produce sulforaphane. In fact, 1 cup of broccoli sprouts produces as much sulforaphane as 27 cups of broccoli! See these articles for details: Broccoli Sprouts, Daily Cruciferous Intake: How To? and Cruciferous Veggies.
(1 min) Transcript. Broccoli sprouts are special! Dr Greger has 20+ videos explaining the remarkable properties of cruciferous veggies. What's special about cruciferous veggies? They produce a compound called 'sulforaphane' which helps in prevention and treatment of multiple chronic diseases.
Dr Greger estimates that 1 lb broccoli seeds costs around $20 and yield about 75 cups. So broccoli sprouts are approximately 25 cents per cup. Turns out that the sulforaphane content of each cup of broccoli sprouts equals 27 cups of actual broccoli!
According to Dr Greger, broccoli sprouts happen to offer the "best nutrition bang for the buck!"
(2 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger says yes to broccoli sprouts.
See Are Sprouts Safe to Eat? at EatRight.org
gurmeet@gmail.com