Food Focus: Sprouts

“It’s not the food in your life, it’s the life in your food”

As far back as 5,000 years ago, ancient Chinese physicians were prescribing the consumption of sprouts for curing diseases and imbalances in the body.   Adding more sprouts to your diet can have one of the most radical impacts on your nutrition of any other foods you consume.  The reason sprouts are so important is because they contain a high level of nutrients and enzymes, which make them easy to digest and assimilate by the body. This allows the body to free up energy that is normally used for digestion and use it for cleansing, regenerating and building every cell in the body and supporting the function of the immune system.


Sprouts of all varieties contain the building blocks of life in the form of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and simple sugars. Recent research by the American Cancer Society has backed what holistic nutrition has known for years: that sprouts contain anti-cancer properties, high levels of active antioxidants, concentrated amounts of phytochemicals and significant amounts of vitamins A, C and D.  In their raw form, sprouts have a cooling effect on the body, and therefore are best consumed in warm weather or by robust, warm body types. Those who tend to feel cool can try steaming spouts or adding them to warm dishes such as stir-fries and soups, to reduce the cooling effect. There is a wide variety of edible and delicious sprouts, each with a different texture and flavor: alfalfa, mung bean, lentil, radish, clover, sunflower, broccoli, garbanzo and adzuki.

Science advances such as chromatography and Kirlian photography, have demonstrated the amazing amounts of life force energy (chi) existing within sprouts.  This high vibrational energy gives us increased regenerating abilities, more vitality and increased energy when consumed regularly.


So why are sprouts so good for us? Seeds, which are what sprouts are produced from, contain within them two very important components: 1. nutrients and 2. enzymes.  We all know that nutrients are great for our body, but without enzymes (the life-force of food) the digestion and absorption of nutrients is not even possible. All activities which take place within the body are fueled by enzymes.  When the seed starts to sprout in its early growth stage, the concentration of proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, RNA & DNA is greater than at any other point in that plant’s development.  As the enzymatic activity increases dramatically, it allows our bodies  greater access to the nutrients which have now become more bio-available to our bodies.  This same germinating and sprouting process can also be used with nuts, seeds and grains to increase their nutritional value up to eight times, remove toxins, and deactivate enzyme inhibitors allowing for easier digestion.

Benefits of Sprouts:

  1. Great source of enzymes.  From germination and up to day 7, it has 100 times greater enzyme content than fruits or vegetables which helps to replenish our own body’s reserve of enzymes.
  2. Great source of energy. The starch content is changed to simple sugars and is assimilated easily by the body.
  3. Healthy fat source. Its fats are changed to fatty acids which are an easily digested soluble compound.
  4. Healthy protein source. Its complex protein is converted into simple amino acids, which essentially means that it is “predigested”.
  5. Great source of vitamins.  Vitamin production is increased three to twelve times more.
  6.  Great source of Minerals.  Minerals are chelated, a natural state where they are chemically bonded to amino acids and easily available to the body.
  7. Nutrient delivery powerhouse. The cell walls are delicate so are able to release nourishment easily.
  8. Protect against disease as they contain compounds known as photochemical.
  9. Prevent DNA destruction and the effects of aging  As it contains highly active antioxidants.
  10. Great for digestive health.  It contains both increased fiber (up to 300%) and water.

What’s more, the amazing sprout is not only a powerhouse of nutrition and life force energy, but is also economical and environmentally friendly. Sprouts can be grown any season of the year anywhere in the world and it only requires minutes of your time to maintain.  Furthermore, in today’s world, with modern agricultural practices as well as the lack of ethical conduct in animal and fish farming this may be THE most nutritious and sustainable way of eating on the planet.


There are a variety of sprouts to choose from, each offering different benefits and tastes. Experiment with your favorites and follow the sprouting guide below. Some sprouts like sunflower seeds grow better in soil. You can find out more about specific sprouts by visiting



Here are some fun ways to add sprouts to your meals:
• Add to salads.
• Combine with other vegetables in wraps, roll-ups or stir-fries.
• Use as a garnish on top of soups (check out my recipe), stews, omelets or scrambled eggs.
• Stir into to rice or noodle dishes.
• Use in sandwiches instead of lettuce.


So start sprouting and feel the life-force!


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