John Myers
Sprouts and seedlings are healthy. They grow from legumes, grains, nuts, or vegetable seeds. The small seeds come in many flavors – sweet, nutty, or hot. They contain everything that a plant needs to grow: With a little water, light, and time, real powerhouses sprout.
This is why sprouts and seedlings are so healthy
Sprouts and seedlings are rich in healthy carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Healthy vital substances form in the plant as a result of germination. Carbohydrates and proteins are converted in such a way that they are easier for people to digest and the nutrients can be better absorbed in the intestine.
The concentration of vitamins and minerals in sprouts is usually at least twice as high as in mature plants. Since most sprouts and seedlings can be enjoyed raw, none of the healthy vital substances are lost through heat during preparation.
Cress: positive health effect
Growing cress is particularly easy: simply place the seeds on a wet piece of paper or on a cress hedgehog made of clay – and the herb will grow. Like other sprout varieties, cress is packed with healthy phytochemicals. Their coloring and flavorings protect the plant, but also have an effect on the human body. They are said to help with cardiovascular diseases, lower blood sugar levels and act against inflammation and bacteria.
Mustard oil: hope in cancer therapy
Cruciferous vegetables such as cress, rocket, radishes, and broccoli are considered particularly healthy. They contain a particularly large amount of mustard oils, which are also among the secondary plant substances. Broccoli sprouts in particular are considered to be particularly healthy. The mustard oil sulforaphane can be obtained from them. Cancer researchers from the University of Heidelberg used chicken eggs to show that sulphuraphane weakens cancer growth and attacks tumor stem cells. In this way, chemotherapy can be supported in aggressive tumors. Tests are currently being carried out on some patients with aggressive pancreatic tumors to see whether broccoli sprouts can support cancer therapy.
EHEC: Sprouts as the source of the epidemic
In 2011 there was an EHEC epidemic. Suspected: imported sprout seeds from Egypt. A lot has happened since then and the Robert Koch Institute has given the all-clear. Nevertheless, sprouts and seeds remain in principle susceptible to harmful germs. Immunocompromised and pregnant women should therefore not eat sprouts and seeds raw. Some legumes such as chickpeas should generally be blanched before eating.
Grow alfalfa sprouts in the sprouting jar yourself
Growing sprouts and seedlings at home are easy. So there are fresh and tasty nutrient suppliers on the windowsill all year round – and they look good too.
Sprouts and seedlings grow in containers made of plastic, glass, or clay. Sprout glasses are the best to start with. They take up little space and are easy to clean. Alfalfa sprouts are perfect for beginners. They’re easy to draw and don’t taste quite as intense. Ready-made sprout mixtures from the trade are also well suited because they are coordinated in terms of taste and germination time.
Proper handling of the rungs
To activate the seeds, they are first soaked for a few hours and then placed in the germination jar. If you don’t want to buy a germination jar, you can also use an empty jam jar. Depending on the variety, the seedlings need to be rinsed well about twice a day. They need the water to grow, but also so that no mold or harmful germs can attach themselves.
The water is drained through a sieve or a fly screen and the glass is then placed at an angle in a bright and not too warm place. The sprouts are ready to harvest after just a few days.
