Photo: Tiana

Are sprouts vitamins good?

“Sprouts carry essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and are a great source of antioxidants,” says Ilic. For instance, she says, “Broccoli sprouts will be loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid and they are a really good source of the powerful antioxidant sulforaphane.”

health.clevelandclinic.org - What Are the Health Benefits (and Risks) of Eating Raw Sprouts?

Is bone broth good for adrenal fatigue?

Its calming minerals are very nourishing for the adrenal glands, and thus helpful in lowering stress, anxiety and tension. With a high...

Last updated Jul 8, 2019

Is it worth getting a V8?

At least for the time being, a V8 is the choice for most drivers looking for high-performance or horsepower and torque from a car. Whether a coupe,...

Last updated Jan 4, 2022

Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Sprouts: You’ve probably encountered them before on a salad or a sandwich and thought little about them. Maybe you love them, maybe you skip them. Either way, chances are you probably don’t know a whole lot about them. Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy So what are these tiny little vegetables? What else can they be used for and what are the benefits – and risks – of eating them? To get to the bottom of it all, we spoke with registered dietician Mira Ilic, RD, LD, MS.

What are sprouts?

Sprouts are the germinated seed of a vegetable, young plants on their way to full growth – at least until some are harvested from those plants to be, well, sprouts for eating. You can find sprouts pretty much wherever you find food, particularly grocery stores and farmers markets. Some people even grow their own.

The types of sprouts

Most sprouts you’ll encounter fall into four categories:

Bean and pea sprouts: These include mung bean, kidney bean, black bean, lentil and snow pea sprouts. These include mung bean, kidney bean, black bean, lentil and snow pea sprouts. Vegetable sprouts: These include broccoli, alfalfa, mustard green and red clover sprouts. These include broccoli, alfalfa, mustard green and red clover sprouts. Nut and seed sprouts: These include pumpkin seed, sesame seed, sunflower seed sprouts. These include pumpkin seed, sesame seed, sunflower seed sprouts. Sprouted grains: These include wheatgrass and quinoa sprouts. Some of the more popular sprouts include alfalfa, mung bean, red clover and broccoli. And, no, Brussels sprouts aren’t part of these sprouts. Says Ilic, “They’re grown like regular plants, not in that warm water environment like sprouts.” Brussels sprouts are actually in the same family as cabbage, kale, broccoli and cauliflower.

What are the benefits of sprouts?

What vitamins are good for anxiety?

B-complex, vitamin E, vitamin C, GABA, and 5-HTP are 5 vitamins commonly used to help with anxiety and stress.

Last updated Jun 26, 2019

How long can you do a juice diet?

"Juice cleansing is a diet where a person almost exclusively drinks fruit and vegetable juices for as long as 10 days or as short as just a day or...

Last updated Mar 16, 2022

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Sprouts are jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, varying from sprout to sprout. “Sprouts carry essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and are a great source of antioxidants,” says Ilic. For instance, she says, “Broccoli sprouts will be loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid and they are a really good source of the powerful antioxidant sulforaphane.” Sprouts can also carry other nutrients like B vitamins and minerals like phosphorus and magnesium. Plus, they’re low in things like fat, sodium and calories. There’s also the appeal of what they can bring to your meal. “They bring a variety to your salad, wrap or sandwich,” Ilic says. “They can add a crunch and even a different flavor besides those health benefits. And that makes them appealing to a lot of people.” But sprouts also carry some risks that you need to be aware of before adding them to your next meal.

The risks of eating sprouts

While they’re nutritious, sprouts also run a risk of carrying foodborne illnesses like E. coli and salmonella. Most sprout seeds are grown in warm, humid conditions which are conducive to bacterial growth. And, Ilic points out that at larger farms where sprout seeds are harvested, there’s a risk of those seeds coming into contact with water that contains animal waste. “There’s also a risk of the way they’re handled when they’re harvested,” she says. “When they’re harvested and packaged for sale, there’s the chance of a foodborne illness being passed that way, too, if the people who handled them didn’t practice good hand hygiene.” These risks are further compounded by the fact that many prefer to eat sprouts raw which means no cooking process to kill off any bacteria. Those risks are high and prevalent enough that the FDA has issued recommendations and guidance for producers of sprouts.

How can I eat sprouts safely?

Are popcorn unhealthy?

When it's air-popped and lightly seasoned, popcorn is an efficiently healthy snack. That's because it is a whole grain, and high-fiber whole grains...

Last updated Feb 6, 2021

How do I get my digestive system back to normal?

7 Tips for Restoring Your Digestive Health Add Fiber. Adding more fiber to your diet can help to jumpstart a sluggish digestive system. ... Add...

Last updated Jul 21, 2018

Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

A potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

According to Ilic, the best way to safely enjoy sprouts is to cook them. “It may not be as appealing to some because you might lose that crunch, but it’s the safest way,” she says. She adds, “You may lose some vitamins and minerals when you cook sprouts but you’re still getting most of the nutrients they contain, just to a lesser amount.” Boiling, oven-roasting and steaming sprouts are more cooking options to consider. There are, too, canned bean sprouts. While they may not be as appealing as freshly grown sprouts, they’re safer, Ilic says. “The process of canning involves heat which makes them a safer choice.”

Are home-grown sprouts safe?

Some sprout lovers prefer to grow their own at home. But this doesn’t mean they’re any safer from contamination. “Since most outbreaks of sprout-related foodborne illness are associated with the contaminated seeds, it is no safer to grow sprouts at home than to get them from a store,” Ilic says. “If the seeds happen to be contaminated with bacteria, they can cause food illness regardless of where they are grown.”

Other safety tips for eating sprouts

Ilic says, “Once you have fresh sprouts home, they should be chilled and stored in a refrigerator that can keep them at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.” She also recommends washing your hands before and after handling sprouts and rinsing sprouts well before using them. “You’re trying to keep any bacteria you can off of them and rinsing off other materials that could be harmful before you consume them,” she says. The appearance of sprouts matters, too. “If they’re slimy, smelly or musty, you should throw them out right away,” she adds.

health.clevelandclinic.org - What Are the Health Benefits (and Risks) of Eating Raw Sprouts?

What should I drink to lose weight?

The best drink for weight loss is water since it has zero calories and can keep you hydrated. Other weight loss drinks include coffee, green tea,...

Last updated Jul 29, 2018

What is a realistic time to lose 15 pounds?

How long does it *really* take to lose 15 pounds? “The safest and most sustainable timeline to lose about 15 pounds would be about two to four...

Last updated Feb 1, 2022

Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Which fruit is best for skin?

Oranges. Oranges are a huge source of natural vitamin C, and therefore, they are one of the most effective fruits you can eat to brighten up a dull...

Last updated Jun 2, 2019

Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

How do you get a super skinny stomach fast?

Here are 29 science-backed methods to help you lose extra belly fat. Cut calories, but not too much. ... Eat more fiber, especially soluble fiber....

Last updated Jun 7, 2022