Hey Friends, I am going to introduce you today to a treasure of good health that you come across but often ignore, on a daily basis. Health Gurus are often telling us the best way to keep our body fit and healthy, but we tend to focus on the exercise part, which is tough and pay less heed to the consumption of healthy foods in our diet such as sprouts, which is actually easy in the long term.
Sprouts often rank high on the prescribed diets of all nutrition gurus and dieticians and provide us with a multitude of benefits. Proteins which are really beneficial to health are the main content of sprouts.
Seeds of Grains and legumes when kept in proper warm and moist conditions germinate and sprout a protrusion hence the name sprouts. They are basically known as “Ankur anaaj” in common parlance. They are very nutritious in nature and have a hoard of benefits including building muscle tone, to fortifying the immune system.
Let us look at the benefits in an orderly fashion after we have seen the kind of sprouts available to us.
VARIETY
Sprouts can be found as germinated seeds of fenugreek, grains, grams, peas , wheat etc. Black beans, kidney beans, split peas etc. can also be found in this state. The major ones are:
Moong or lentils
They are easily found, have a distinctive flavor and can be converted into many a recipes.
Fenugreek
These sprouts are spicy but very healthy, nutritious and useful in multitude of gastric disorders.
Gram
These sprouts are very useful in giving strength, stamina and vigor.
LET’S look at the benefits now:
The benefits can be categorized mainly into three categories:
a. HAIR BENEFITS
B.SKIN HEALTH
C. NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS.
A. Hair Benefits:
1.Hair Growth:
Its content of Vitamin C makes it a great booster of hair growth , as the Vitamin helps in blocking the free radicals that weaken the hair. Hair disorders like Aloepacia aerate, malle pattern, etc. also find themselves hampered by use of sprouts.
2.Boosts Blood Supply
A healthy blood supply to the scalp and underlying tissue ensures a generous hair growth. Sprouts help to regenerate the cells in capillaries and boost good blood supply.
3.Vitamin A source
Vitamin A’s high quantum in sprouts promotes the birth of new hair by the scalp and stimulates hair follicles.
4. Anti-oxidant source
Premature gray hair can be found in the youth of today because of unhealthy eating habits. That is because the graying occurs due to oxidation
5. Provides Vitamin K
This builds the protein level which will keep the scalp in a rich state.
6. Provides Iron
Iron is necessary for carrying oxygen through to the scalp and hair roots and tresses. It’s important that Oxygenated blood reaches the scalp and gives a nice texture to hair.
7. Provides Zinc
Zinc is necessary to keep the scalp hydrated, and only a properly hydrated scalp can facilitate good hair generation.
8.Anti-Dandruff:
The selenium present in sprouts stops the fungus which kills the scalp slowly by releasing the dry fragments in the scalp.
9.Releases Omega Acid
Omega 3 Fatty Acid is very important for the texture of hair follicles.
10.Cures Biotin Deficiency
Biotin deficiency makes the hair weak, brittle and prone to falling off. So adequate intake of sprouts will remove this problem.
11.Corrects Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance in women is one of the major reason of hair fall. They regulate the hormonal balance and restore the texture and thickness of hair.
B. SKIN HEALTH
1. Gives sheen to skin.
Image credits- L’Oreal Paris
For a glowing skin, sprouts are most important. They maintain the texture and elasticity of the skin
2. Moisturizing agent
Sprouts contain Vitamin B which helps to Hydrate and moisturize skin. You can either take it orally by preparing a juice or just press them and apply the preparation your face to get smooth and hydrated skin.
3. Helps Regeneration of Cells
Sprouts are easily available in the market so you just need to put in a little effort and add them to your diet. This will immensely help your skin as it has the capability to rejuvenate your skin. They help your skin in other ways as well as it provides elasticity and will help hide the symptoms of aging.
4. Shield against Skin Cancer
Free Radicals can be a cause for skin cancer and the antioxidant property of sprouts will help destroy these free radicals.
5.Detoxification
It contains a nutrient called Silica which helps in the detoxification of the skin as it maintains the Connective tissues of the skin. They also lighten freckles and age spots and makes the skin clear.
6.Supports production of Collagen
The Vitamin C in it helps the skin as it produces collagen. They will also help in removing the dullness of the skin.
7.Prevents acne
Image credits- VKool.com
We have all gotten tired of all the things we have tried to get rid of hat acne right? This is a healthy and easy way to do that. Our skin develops Acne due to inflammation. This is an easy way to stop that from happening and not just this will protect you from other skin problems as well.
C. NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS:
1.Pregnant & Lactating Mothers
They are really good during pregnancy as they are a powerhouse for pregnancy protein.
Caution
Pregnant women need to be careful while consuming sprouts as they can promote Bacterial growth. So they should be cleaned and sprouted properly to avoid Salmonella and e-coli.
2. Anti Aging
Image credits- Environ
Its Antioxidant property reduces aging signs.
SELECTION:
Sprouts are often found in loosely held packs. Proper fresh sprouts will give a distinctive good flavour and smell whereas the old and withered sprouts will give off a mild smell. Such sprouts should be then removed and only the freshly germinated cells.
Fresh sprouts: can often be stored in the refrigerators. The fresh sprouts can sty for a fortnight if properly stored. Chemical seeds should not be used, but organic seeds are safe and preferable.
Grow Sprouts at Home:
Though sprouts can be found in ready packs, they can also be grown at home in specially made jars or flat bottomed utensils that facilitate sprout germination. They can be kept on window sills or on kitchen platforms. They need to have good light and ought to be watered at least twice daily by 250 ml. of water. Frozen sprouts can be stored for further use.
Precautions:
sprouts should always be washed before use. Smelly or dull-looking sprouts should always be discarded. sprouts should not be exposed to heat, like roasting or frying them will make them lose their properties.
Sprouted salads are the best way of providing the desired nutrition. They can also be used in risotto, or as a side dish. Sprout sandwiches are also a nice variation from the daily routine.
Its flour helps in baking. You can whisk up great baked dishes using the sprouted flour.
Some sprouts will taste best when sauteed with butter. The taste is good and the nutritional value retained.
Some sprouts, when steamed for a very short time and salted and spruced up slightly with some condiments, will give a very nice snack or even meal without losing its nutritional value. So, go, binge and get healthy!!!
