Sprouts

Starting from the seeds of legumes, such as mung bean, or vegetables, such as watercress, alfalfa, broccoli, mustard, but also from cereal grains such as oats or millet, it is possible to get their sprouts , source of energy and nutrients, ideal in case of fatigue, stress, rich in chlorophyll with anti-anemic, antioxidant and purifying properties. The sprouts are rich in amino acids ready to be assimilated by the body, contain minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium, and vitamins, including vitamin A, E, C and group B. According to an American study performed by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and published on the scientific journal 'Clinical Cancer Research', eating the sprouts, in particular the sprouts of broccoli, may protect against breast cancer. But the sprouts would also play a role in the prevention of the colon cancer and in the protection of the stomach against infection of Helicobacter pylori, the main cause of gastritis, ulcers and tumors. You can find the sprouts ready and packaged in supermarkets or specialized stores, or, even better, you can grow them at home, the process is very simple and, compared to the "industrial" sprouts that are found on supermarket shelves, you can have full control of all stages of production. To produce sprouts by yourself you can use, if you already have it at home, a seed sprouter, otherwise a dish with a cotton cloth on the bottom and another plate as a cover will be fine. You should place your seed sprouter away from direct sunlight and from heat sources such as radiators. As for the seeds, you can find them easily in specialized shops. To start you can try to sprout the seeds of alfalfa, these seeds are in fact, along with mung beans, very easy to grow. The broccoli sprouts are instead more delicate. Depending on the type, soak the sprouts for a time ranging from 6 to 12 hours, but it is written on the package. Then drain the sprouts and put them in the seed sprouter, remember to rinse your seeds twice a day. If your seed sprouter allows the water to drain, then rinse the seeds directly there, having only care to shake a little the water. Otherwise you have to put the seeds in another bowl, rinse them under running water, drain and put them in the sprouter: in a week your sprouts will be ready. The broccoli sprouts will have hairy roots, do not worry, it is not mold. Then, when exposed to light, mung bean sprouts may become darker, even in this case don’t worry, it is normal. Once the stage of germination ends, remember to rinse the sprouts well under running water and then store them in the fridge.