(10-11-13) Broccoli sprouts: Nutritional giants

by Sandeep Godiyal

(NaturalNews) For those who take pride in growing their own sprouts, broccoli sprouts have become increasingly popular and have been preferred by the health-conscious community for many years. Packed with highly concentrated vitamins and compounds and 10 to 100 times the amount of nutrients than mature broccoli heads, broccoli sprouts have become readily available at grocery stores all over the United States.


Broccoli sprouts have a number of health benefits:
§ EXCELLENT SOURCE OF PROTEIN
Broccoli sprouts are an excellent source of protein for vegetarians or for those who refrain from eating meat for health, religious, ethical or other reasons.

§ PREVENTION OF CANCER
Medical researchers at John Hopkins University have discovered that broccoli is comprised of high levels of compounds that prevent cancer. One of those compounds, sulforaphane, is also found in broccoli sprouts and is believed to inhibit the growth of cancer stem cells. It is also beneficial in assisting the liver in processing toxins and carcinogens that may be harmful to health. Studies at Ulster University concluded that consuming approximately 100 grams of sprouted vegetables daily helps protect the body from the DNA damage that is associated with cancer.

§ CARDIOVSCULAR SYSTEM
Phase 2 enzymes in the liver are responsible for detoxification of harmful substances in the body and are beneficial to the cardiovascular system. The sulforaphanes found in broccoli sprouts help to encourage proper functioning of the heart, arteries and kidneys by decreasing inflammation, protecting blood vessels and preventing other vascular diseases which may be related to diabetes.

§ CHOLESTEROL LOWERING PROPERTIES
Adding broccoli sprouts to one's daily diet contributes to the development of good cholesterol while reducing the levels of bad cholesterol.

§ OCULAR HEALTH
Chemical carcinogens and ultraviolet light may cause damage to the eyes, including macular degeneration and loss of sight in the elderly. The sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts is believed to protect the eyes from these harmful substances, but further studies concerning the prevention of eye degeneration are needed.

§ STOMACH/ULCER PROTECTION
Very often, stomach ulcers develop from the bacteria H. pylori. An article in the New York Times recently stated that, after a steady two-month diet of broccoli sprouts, H. pylori bacterial infection levels were lowered.

§ RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Studies in Clinical Immunology concluded that the inflammation accompanying asthma and nasal allergies is reduced when eating broccoli sprouts that contain sulforaphane.

The most famous sprouts in America - broccoli sprouts - have been proven to be a giant in the healthfood category. They can be easily grown in home gardens or can be found in supermarkets. Having a mild flavor and slight crunch, they can be eaten raw in salads or topping sandwiches or cooked to enhance the flavor of many popular dishes. Loaded with nutrients and antioxidants and offering protection from cancer, broccoli sprouts are a perfect vegetable to include in a healthy lifestyle.

Sources for this article include:

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com

http://livingmaxwell.com

http://csn.cancer.org

http://science.naturalnews.com

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