The Health Benefits of Broccoli Sprouts by Erica Mesirov
You probably already know that broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that is something akin to a Superfood. It’s been associated with everything from a healthy body, to a healthy heart. But what you might not realize is that you can get all of the nutrition of broccoli and more when you add broccoli sprouts to your diet.
What are broccoli sprouts? They’re formed by an immature broccoli plant. In the early stages of growth, the plant grows small sprouts. These sprouts are super concentrated in all of the good-for-you nutrients. And so they’re a great way to get all of the nutritional benefits of broccoli in a teeny tiny package.
Many of us find broccoli to be delicious. But let’s say you have a picky eater, or something who just isn’t impressed by the taste. Sprouts are a fantastic way to get the benefits of broccoli.
Even if you love the taste of broccoli, these sprouts are still a great choice. They’re so darn healthy!
Why are broccoli sprouts so healthy?
Well, as already discussed, they’re basically broccoli but in a smaller package. Because these little guys are formed in the very earliest stages of development, they have very concentrated levels of all the good stuff. And this makes them a powerhouse food.
More specifically, one of broccoli’s claims to fame is a compound called sulforaphane. This compound can boost your health in many ways. And sulforaphane has been linked with an array of health benefits from preventing DNA damage, to helping with skin cancer and brain damage.
Broccoli is full of these beneficial sulforaphane compounds. But broccoli sprouts contain higher levels of sulforaphane because they’re so concentrated. So if you haven’t included these as part of your healthy eating plan, now is a fantastic time to start.
Plus, let’s not forget about broccoli is just generally a fantastic antioxidant. It helps neutralize oxidative damage and keeps you healthy.
Want a great way to support the different systems in your body and support natural healing? Here are some additional benefits of broccoli sprouts.
Soothes constipation
Broccoli sprouts can be amazing for your digestive system. They help soothe the GI tract and keep it working in tip top shape. And they can be especially beneficial to those suffering from constipation.
When study participants were given 20 grams of broccoli sprouts a day for four weeks, their constipation symptoms improved. They had quicker bowel movements with less straining. And this was without any noted side effects. Given that most prescribed medications for constipation come with an array of side effects, this is a great find.
You may not want to wait until constipation strikes to start eating them though. Including these as part of your diet is great precedent to help keep you regular.
Helps prevent weight gain
Weight gain and loss are complicated matters. It’s never easy. But trying to lose weight can make you feel that forces are against you. This can be especially true when hitting a weight loss plateau.
Losing weight requires long-term change and dedication. But you might also want to include broccoli sprouts as part of your healthy eating plan. Not only are they very low in calories. They also may support your metabolism for quicker, more effective weight loss.
It all goes back to glucosinolates, and more specifically, sulforaphane. These can help reduce inflammation, which supports a faster metabolism. They can also assist the body in burning more energy, which in effect help the metabolism burn more fat.
When trying to lose weight, it’s not all about calories. Sometimes choosing the right foods can make a tangible difference in your results.
Assists detoxification
When your detoxification pathways aren’t working correctly, your body will be in a state of imbalance. Symptoms may be minor at first. Maybe some stomach issues, allergies, or depression. But eventually, there can be an array of health consequences.
But broccoli sprouts and sulforaphane can help your liver with detoxification. These enzymes assist the liver with stage II detoxification, a crucial stage of the detoxification process. This helps your body convert toxins into compounds that are much more benign and easily processed.
The reality is that we are exposed to many more toxins today than ever before. We have chemicals in our mattresses, the paint on our walls, and in our carpets. A handful of broccoli sprouts a day can be just what the doctor ordered to protect ourselves against this onslaught of toxicity.
Prevents against cancer
It’s pretty well known that broccoli a great food for cancer prevention. The good news is that the concentrated nature of sprouts delivers a much more concentrated dose of the good stuff.
Sulforaphane exhibits chemopreventative qualities. This goes back to its ability to support the detoxification processes, as well as the induction of apoptosis. Now studies are starting to show that these qualities may make foods high in sulforaphane like broccoli sprouts a great defense against cancer.
Studies show that broccoli sprouts can help inhibit cancer growth. They may also increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to treatment. So consider broccoli sprouts as part of your anti-cancer regimen.
Treats autism
Were just at the early stages of understanding more holistic ways to approach autism. Sulforaphane is so effective at repairing DNA damage and reducing inflammation. So scientists speculate that it could be an effective addition for those with autism spectrum disorder.
Autism is a complex disorder. And the underlying mechanism isn’t completely understood. However, it seems that oxidative and DNA damage may be a key factor.
In one study, sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts was given to children with autism spectrum disorder. Many of the caregivers administering this intervention reported that they noticed positive changes. Interestingly, these positive changes were maintained for up to three years after the study ended. More research is needed. But what we know so far is quite intriguing.
So if you’re new to broccoli sprouts, give them a try. They’re not only delicious and a great addition to any salad. They can keep your body strong and help you return to a place of healing.