What Is the Difference Between Broccoli & Broccoli Sprouts?

Broccoli is a dark green vegetable and member of the cabbage family. Broccoli sprouts are seeds from the broccoli plant that have germinated and grown for three to five days. Loaded with vitamins and minerals, both broccoli and broccoli sprouts offer a wealth of nutrition with few calories. Scientists have discovered another reason to eat broccoli and broccoli sprouts---they both have powerful anti-cancer properties.

Sprouts: Richest in Cancer-Fighting Properties

• Broccoli sprouts provide a concentrated source of anti-cancer compounds.

  While both broccoli and broccoli sprouts pack a strong nutritional punch, sprouts contain a concentrated source of compounds, such as sulforaphane, that may reduce your cancer risk. Three-day-old broccoli sprouts have 20 to 50 times more of these compounds than mature broccoli heads. You would have to eat huge amounts of broccoli to get the same amount of the cancer-fighting properties that sprouts offer.

Broccoli: Easy to Purchase and Prepare

• Broccoli is bursting with vitamins---especially A and C---folic acid, protein, fiber, calcium and potassium, making it a powerhouse of nutrition. It also contains compounds, known as glucosinolates, that may prevent and fight cancer. Italian immigrants introduced broccoli to the United States. It wasn't until the 1920s when it became a popular vegetable in the states, when it was grown in California and shipped to the East Coast. Today it is available year-round in supermarkets. You can enjoy broccoli raw, boiled, grilled, or steamed---or as an ingredient in many recipes, such as stir fries, casseroles, and salads.

Sprouts---Some Drawbacks

• Despite the powerful anti-cancer properties of broccoli sprouts, they are more difficult to find in a supermarket than mature broccoli plants. Per pound, they are also more expensive. You can grow your own sprouts by purchasing seeds commercially. Dr. Paul Talalay and his team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered the anti-cancer properties of broccoli sprouts and subsequently started BroccoSprouts, which guarantees a product with consistent levels of sulforaphane. This product, however, is not available in all supermarkets.

Broccoli and Sprouts: A Perfect Match

• Pair broccoli and broccoli sprouts for nutritional benefits.

  Nutritional researchers at the University of Illinois studied the anti-cancer properties of broccoli and sprouts and determined that overcooking can eliminate broccoli's anti-cancer enzymes. Steaming broccoli for two to four minutes preserves nutrients and anti-cancer enzymes. Their research found that broccoli teamed with broccoli sprouts increases the anti-cancer effect of broccoli twofold. They suggest preparing broccoli and then sprinkling the dish with broccoli sprouts.