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What Are the Benefits of Sprouting Seeds?

We all know we should eat plenty of leafy, green veggies and plants as part of a healthy lifestyle, but sprouted seeds are a less well-known source of nutrition. Sprouting seeds like alfalfa, broccoli, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds possess powerful nutritional benefits. Growing your own sprouts provides an easy, economical and eco-friendly source of food.

  1. More Nutrients

    • Sprouts are seeds that have begun to grow into plants. They are a living food, and they continue to grow and gain nutrients even after being harvested. Vegetables at the grocery store begin to wilt and lose nutrients as soon as they are picked, and may not deliver the nutritional values quoted on the label. Sprouted seeds can deliver antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in much higher numbers. A study from scientists at UCLA shows that broccoli sprouts contain a chemical called sulforaphane, which supports antioxidants in fighting cancer and boosts the immune system.

    More Easily Digested

    • Sprouts are also easy to digest. As a living food, sprouts contain high numbers of enzymes for growth, which aid in digestion. Plants are typically difficult for the body to digest because they contain complex sugars and dense vegetable proteins. The digestibility of sprouts means the body is better able to extract the nutrients from sprouts and metabolize them.

    Economical

    • Not only are sprouts good for your health, they're good for your wallet, too. Sprouting your own seeds is a way to obtain food for next to nothing. Although many seed-sprouting kits are available in health and specialty food stores or online, all you really need is a jar, some seeds and a little bit of water. Once sprouted, the seeds will continue to grow like an indoor garden, and they require only minimal care.

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