Whoo Hoo– it is spring time again!
In this issue, we bring you an understanding of the Nutritious Powerhouses called Sprouts and give you links to learn about growing your own!
Did you ever wonder what happens when a seed sprouts?
- Stored food & enzymes needed for growth of the mature plant are mobilized.
- Protein, carbohydrate & fat is broken down (pre-digested) to free amino acids, simple sugars & soluble compounds.
- Vitamins, including A, B-complex (B-12), C, E & K, increase to meet the growth needs of a young plant. (For example, B-complex in wheat increases 600 percent, vitamin E triples & vitamin C increases six-fold. Vitamin C in a 100 gram serving of peas goes from 0 to 69 mg. in 48 hours!)
- Essential minerals – calcium, magnesium, iron & zinc are supplied in organic form, “chelated” for better assimilation.
- Nutrient-density is enhanced at the expense of calories!
Essentially the sprout has significantly different nutritional value than the actual seed. Sprouts can be grown year round indoors. Even in the dead of winter you can have sprouts and the nutrition they promise. There are many types of seeds that you can sprout. Some of my favorites are sunflower, buckwheat lettuce, radish, and alfalfa.Sunflower greens are both delicious and nutritious. They produce impressive nutrition. In the germination process, all nutrients, including enzymes and trace minerals, multiply 300 to 1200%. One of the richest sources of protein, 3 1/2 ounces (100 grams) of sprouted sunflower seeds, contains 22.78 grams. The mineral content soars in the sprouted state. The same portion offers 116 mg of calcium, 5.06 mg of zinc, 689 mg of potassium, 1.75 mg copper, and 354 mg of magnesium. Vitamins increase during sprouting when the seeds are producing new life. Vitamin A increases to 50,000 IU, Vitamin E offers 52.18 mg, while Vitamin D provides 92.0 IU for 3 1/2 ounces (100 grams). The Vitamin B family offers niacin at 4.50 mg, riboflavin at 0.25 mg, and thiamin at 2.29 mg. Sprouted sunflower seeds are also a rich source of iron, providing 6.77 mg, a benefit to people with anemia. The chlorophyll molecule looks like our hemoglobin molecule with magnesium in the middle instead of iron, kind of like the “blood” of the plant.Mature sprouted sunflower seeds are a rich source of chlorophyll excellent for cleansing or detoxifying the liver and the blood. Chlorophyll enhances many functions within the body including building blood supply, revitalizing tissue, calming inflammation, activating enzymes, and deodorizing/detoxifying the body. Most commercial breath fresheners contain chlorophyll. Buckwheat lettuce is an excellent addition to your salad or smoothies and really boosts the nutrient content. Buckwheat lettuce greens are an excellent source of chlorophyll, vitamin A and C, calcium and lecithin. Buckwheat lecithin helps keep the body clean of artery clogging cholesterol. Lecithin contains natural phosphorus and thus is a fat solvent. It is very effective as a way of removing fatty deposits from the tissues and cholesterol from the hardened arteries. Since phospholipids constitute some 20% of the nervous tissue, it is just logical that lecithin would be a great help in aiding the body to self-heal and be very supportive of the nervous system.
For further information on growing these amazing little power greens, you can check out the links below.www.thedailygardener.com
www.thesproutqueen.com
www.sproutkitchen.com
Best of Health to you & yours!