For today’s article, we’re going to talk about a certain type of food that will soon be very relevant, especially over the festive season. No, it’s not turkey, it’s something much healthier than that. Something green. Yep, we’re talking about sprouts. Specifically, we’re talking about the numerous fabulous benefits of sprouts. The sprouts that instantly spring to mind are Brussels, though in truth, there are many different variations, which we’ll be learning more about shortly. If you’re looking for info regarding healthy eating, you’ve certainly come to the right place. We understand how difficult it can be to eat healthy, but we also understand just how important it is. There are many varieties of sprouts, as we mentioned earlier on, and there are also several awesome benefits of sprouts to be enjoyed. Here’s an overview of what they are, and what makes them so beneficial.
What are sprouts?
Sprouts is a term which can be used to describe any number of vegetables, or varieties of plant beans, which have just started to grow or ‘sprout’. Brussels sprouts are slightly different as they’re a member of the Brassicaceae family, and are members of the same family as cauliflower, kale, as well as mustard greens. In cooking, the most common form of sprouts are mung beans, bean sprouts, soy, and alfalfa. Not only do they give dishes a wonderful crunch, great texture, and great taste, they are also packed full, and we do mean full, of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. After germination, once they have sprouted, they take on a whole variety of different health benefits.
What are the benefits of sprouts?
Now that we know more about what sprouts are, we’re now going to look at what the many health benefits of sprouts actually are. The list could be endless, but we’re going to narrow it down to just 16 for now. Take a look, and see what you think:
Speed up your metabolism – Have you been lumbered with a slow metabolism and you find that you struggle to lose weight, burn fat, and have enough energy to get through the day? If so, then it might be time to add sprouts to your diet. One of the many awesome benefits of sprouts that we’re going to look at today, is the fact that they help to speed up the metabolism. They are loaded full of enzymes which help to give your metabolism a real boost, and kick-start it into life. The nutrients and enzymes found in sprouts will boost your body’s metabolic activity, allowing you to burn calories quicker than ever before.
Rich in protein – It isn’t just meat, fish, dairy, and eggs that are great whole food protein sources. It turns out that sprouts are also naturally rich in protein too. Best of all is the fact that the protein is plant-based, so those of you following a plant-based diet may wish to stock up. Protein is a macronutrient which is needed by the body to perform a wide range of physiological processes and functions. Protein promotes muscle growth, it speeds up the metabolism, it keeps your cells healthy, and much more besides. Sprouts are a great source of plant-based protein, making them a great choice for vegans.
Rich in iron – Do you find yourself constantly feeling tired and run down, regardless of how much sleep you get at night? If so, then it could be due to anaemia, which is caused via a deficiency in iron. iron is a mineral which we need for the production of red blood cells and haemoglobin. Both of these are required for the transportation of oxygen via the blood. Oxygen is delivered to your cells and is used as fuel. If your cells aren’t getting enough oxygen, you’ll feel tired and lethargic and you won’t be able to focus or concentrate. Sprouts are rich in iron, which can help to prevent anaemia.
Improve athletic performance – If you’re involved in sports and/or fitness, you’ll know how important it is to have plenty of energy to do a perfect circuit training with many high intensity exercise such as push-ups, jumping jacks, and many other exercises. One of the main advantages of eating sprouts on a regular basis, is the fact that they’re great for energy. To begin with, as we mentioned earlier, sprouts contain enzymes which help to speed up your metabolism and give you plenty of energy. As well as that, sprouts are also rich in iron which improves circulation and oxygen transportation in the body. Athletes sometimes train at altitude because the lack of oxygen as you climb higher forces the body to produce more red blood cells, which in turn allow for more oxygen to be transported to the cells. If you saturate the cells in your muscles with oxygen, this means that they’ll produce more energy, which will allow for greater muscle contractions. Your muscles will therefore work harder, and you’ll benefit athletically as a result.
Weight loss – If you want to lose weight, first off, join the club. Obesity levels are now higher than ever before, and our health is suffering because of it. If you’re struggling to lose weight, it’s time to change up your diet. One of the best things about sprouts is the fact that they’re so beneficial for people that are looking to lose weight. Sprouts are low in calories and are virtually fat free. They’re also rich in fiber and protein, both of which help to keep you feeling full for longer. Then of course, there’s the fact that sprouts are ideal for boosting the metabolism and increasing energy levels so you burn off more calories. Roll all of these weight loss benefits of sprouts into one, and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular amongst people that are looking to shed a few stubborn pounds.
Improves digestive health – Sprouts are loaded full of enzymes, including those which help to improve digestive health. The enzymes contained in sprouts help to break down the foods that you consume, and assist with the active uptake of the nutrients they contain. Sprouts are also rich in dietary fiber, which helps to improve digestive health and function, and help food to more efficiently pass through the digestive tract. If you suffer with digestive health issues, or if you simply want to improve your digestive health, these digestive benefits of sprouts should serve as very welcome news indeed.
Reduces bad cholesterol – In the body, we have two types of cholesterol. We have high density lipoprotein cholesterol, aka HDL cholesterol, and we have low density lipoprotein cholesterol, aka LDL cholesterol. Out of the two, HDL is very good for us, whereas LDL is very dangerous. LDL cholesterol can cause fatty blockages and build ups inside your arteries, which could cause strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, and much more besides. Sprouts have been found to help actively reduce LDL cholesterol, making them very beneficial for your general health and wellbeing.
Rich in nutrients – In the body, we need vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a whole variety of different purposes. These nutrients play key roles in countless physiological processes in the body, plus they also help to strengthen and boost the immune system. For those of you who are looking to improve your general health, you might wish to stock your shopping cart full of sprouts the next time you hit the grocery store. This is because sprouts contain huge amounts of nutrients, including: Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, along with minerals like calcium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and many more. Listing the benefits that each individual nutrient provides would take an age, but take it from us, they’re all extremely healthy and beneficial for you.
Stronger immune system – When talking about the health benefits of sprouts, there are many people out there that are quick to focus on the fact that sprouts are great for building immunity, and rightfully so. The immune system helps to protect your body against illness and disease. It helps you to fight off illness and infection, and the stronger it is, the healthier you are. People that lead unhealthy lifestyles and eat heaps of junk without eating healthy produce often find themselves getting sick multiple times per year. On the flipside, people that eat healthily generally have a healthy glow, they look healthier, and it’s rare that they get sick. This is because healthy produce means a strong immune system. Sprouts are crammed full of nutrients, making them your immune system’s best friend.
Great for the heart – Sprouts are also a very heart-friendly food. Heart disease is currently the biggest killer in the developed world, claiming more lives each year than any other disease. One of the best things about consuming sprouts is the fact that they’re great for the heart. Sprouts help to lower LDL cholesterol, which helps improve circulation and keep your arteries and blood vessels clear. They’re also rich in nutrients which help keep the heart ticking over as it should. If heart health is something that you take seriously, and you really should take it seriously, sprouts are foods that you should definitely eat more of.
Improve your vision – If you want to improve your vision, it’s important to take the time to consume the right foods on a regular basis. This is yet another reason why sprouts are considered to be so important. Sprouts are great for the eyes as they are packed full of vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that has been found to promote healthy vision for a number of reasons. It isn’t just the vitamin A, that helps your eyes though. The vitamin C in sprouts is also very beneficial because it functions as an antioxidant. Its antioxidant properties protect your eyes against macular degeneration caused by toxins and free radicals. As well as this, other eye-related health issues like glaucoma and cataracts, can also be treated and avoided by eating sprouts.
Anti-inflammatory properties – Sprouts are also considered to be very good for you, due to the fact that they possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation in the body can cause a whole variety of ailments, from: headache to cancer. Inflammation causes joint and muscular pain, it can cause headaches and migraines, it can cause chronic health issues, and it can even lead to allergic reactions such as asthma. The great thing about sprouts is the fact that they possess very potent anti-inflammatory properties, making them ideal for treating and preventing inflammation, and inflammation-related health issues.
Alkalizes the body – If your internal PH levels are acidic, an acidic environment can lead to all manner of health issues. Chronic health issues and diseases such as cancer, have been linked with acidic internal environments. But what does this have to do with eating sprouts? Well, sprouts are a type of food which have been found to have alkalizing effects on the body. This basically means that they help to balance the body’s natural PH levels, which in turn will help you to enjoy a host of health benefits as a result.
Easy to prepare – Another reason to consume sprouts is the fact that they’re so easy to prepare. They can be cooked in a matter of minutes with minimal effort. They’re great for when you’re in a rush.
Great for the hair – Sprouts help to keep your hair and scalp healthy due to their naturally high nutrient contents. Vitamin A stimulates the growth of hair follicles, whereas vitamin E helps to keep the hair soft and shiny. The zinc in sprouts also assists with the production of sebum in the scalp, which nourishes the hair and prevents dandruff.
Tasty and versatile – Finally, the last few benefits of sprouts that we’re going to be looking at today, are based upon the fact that sprouts are tasty and versatile. Sprouts can be used in a number of dishes and they taste delicious. Bean sprouts for example, are commonly used in Asian cuisine such as a stir fry, and they add a delicious sweet and nutty taste, with a crunchy texture that works very well with the soft noodles.
As you can see from our list above, the benefits of sprouts are plentiful, so if you’re not yet eating enough of them you might want to rectify that asap.
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