Sprouts are some of the best nutritional superfoods, which contain all sorts of health benefits. While sprouts are complex, in that they have many enzymes, vitamins, essential fatty acids, and a lot of fiber, they are quite simple to grow. You don’t need a green thumb to grow sprouts. You don’t need soil, which has been composted by worms, because sprouts don’t grow in soil. You don’t even need to leave your kitchen to grow them; well, you need to go get the sprouting seeds from a health food or gardening store. All you need is a few glass jars (Mason jars are great), cheesecloth or sieve, water, and sprouting seeds.
What is a sprout? Sprouts are plants, which are in the process of germinating. Grains, nuts, seeds, or legumes have a lot of nutrients, which don’t release until the sprouting begins. In fact, enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid are neutralized after a seed sprouts. Phytic acid impairs the absorption of iron, zinc, and calcium. When you ingest the sprouts, you have a better chance of increasing digestibility because they help decrease complex sugars that cause gas. They also help alkalize the body!
When it comes to sprouting, you may not know what you want to sprout. Two of the most popular varieties are mung bean and alfalfa sprouts. Many people like alfalfa because it contains bone-building calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K. Since folate aids red blood cell development and helps with digestion, people eat alfalfa or bean sprouts for high amounts of it.
To begin sprouting, put a few tablespoons of sprouting seeds in a glass jar, make sure the seeds are covered with about two inches of filtered water, cover with a sieve or cheesecloth, and let them sit on the counter overnight. Drain the water the following morning and then fill with more filtered water. Repeat this process for a few days and you’ll have beautiful, nutrient-dense sprouts to eat. Drain them and store the glass jar in your refrigerator, but make sure to eat the sprouts within a few days. Let us know how sprouting worked for you!
