Broccoli Sprouts: Here's What You Need To Know

Broccoli Sprouts: Here's What You Need To Know

Sprouts...

It's quickly becoming a buzz word in the health community, but eating sprouts has been around for centuries! In fact, Chinese sailors would grow bean sprouts at sea to keep scurvy at bay!  Here at FoodNerd we have taken a liking to a particular kind of sprout:

Broccoli Sprouts

Here, we'll give you an overview of broccoli sprouts and discuss why we love them so much!

What Are Broccoli Sprouts?

Broccoli sprouts are broccoli seeds that have been sprouted. You sprout it by putting it in a container with water, letting it soak for a day, and then draining and rinsing the sprouts over a period of days. We sprout our seeds at the three-day mark, as this is when they are at their nutritional peak!
    Woman with Broccoli Sprouts

    Research & Development: Our founder Sharon with our three-day-old sprouts 

    Where do broccoli sprouts come from?

    When growing broccoli, first comes the sprout, then the broccoli we know and love, then the beautiful yellow flower, and finally the seed pods! These seedpods can take a while to show up, but they hold the holy grail: Broccoli Seeds. They are harvested when they are dry on the plant.

      What do they taste like?

      Broccoli sprouts are crunchy, and a bit peppery! They're delicious to have in a salad, on top of some avocado toast, and can be disguised in a smoothie.

      Why have they been researched so much?

      While broccoli sprouts are incredibly nutrient rich, they are mostly studied for their incredible sulforaphane content.

      Sulforaphane is created by some plants to keep bugs away! It has a spicy taste, and may be toxic to these small organisms. But in humans? It seems it has a hormetic effect ( toxin that has a beneficial effect in low doses ). Our cells see this compound, and in response it opens up many advantageous pathways!  What is a low dose? Studies are done with the broccoli sprout equivalent of 1 Tablespoon - 1 1/2 cup per day in mice.  No upper limit is known in humans at this time.

      What is sulforaphane?

      Sulforaphane (SFN) is a compound made when you chew cruciferous vegetables such as (but not limited to) broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and bok choy.

      These are all great, but the best source of SFN is definitely, you guessed it, broccoli sprouts. They contain up to 100x more sulforaphane potential than broccoli.

      How is sulforaphane made?

      When you chew, blend, cut, etc. a source of SFN (lets say, broccoli) you break those cell walls. Those cell walls contain glucoraphanin (a precursor to SFN) and myrosinase (an enzyme).  To put it simply, when glucoraphanin and myrosinase meet, they create Sulforaphane!


      Important note: If you heat a source of SFN, you will kill the myrosinase and SFN will fail to form! 

      Why should I care about this?

      Well for one, this isn't your crazy aunt Lorraine telling you healthy "facts" at the family reunion. John Hopkins University (one of the most prestigious biomedical research schools in the US) is the primary leader in research surrounding SFN, and particularly broccoli sprouts as a main source of said compound.

      Sulforaphane "...has been shown to:

      • prevent and combat cancer
      • lower cholesterol
      • improve diabetes
      • support the immune system
      • have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties
      • combat inflammation
      • protect skin, eyes, kidneys, and brain
      • restore cognitive function..."

      in a range of animals, in vivo (test tube) and some clinical (human) studies.

      Don't expect doctors to start prescribing broccoli sprouts anytime soon- more clinical trials are needed to fully grasp the wonder of the super compound before we can officially start making any real exciting claims! In the meantime though, we are enjoying watching the number of studies on SFN and broccoli sprouts grow! 

      So what is IN broccoli sprouts? 

      1 cup (91 G) of broccoli sprouts contain:

      • Protein: 4.6
      • Carbohydrates: 6.2 G (3.6 Fiber) = 2.6 Net
      • Sulforaphane: 227.5 mg- although amounts can differ depending on a multitude of factors, including the process of sprouting, and type of seed used.

      • Vitamin A: Vitamin A (in its plant based form) is an incredible antioxidant, great for the eyes, regulation of hormones, and growth of teeth and bones.
      • Vitamin C: A well known antioxidant, it’s also lesser known for helping our body burn fat for energy, as well as its role in building collagen. It can also help your body absorb more iron. So next time you have a spinach salad, add some sprouts!
      • Vitamin E: Protects our cells from free radical damage.
      • Vitamin K: Important for bone health and pivotal for blood to clot!
      • Selenium: Builds powerful antioxidant enzymes known as selenoproteins, which have multiple functions. One of those functions play a role in regulating thyroid functions.
      • Sulforaphane may help people living with autism (1, 2,3) combating/preventing cancer (1,2,3), detoxifying body of carcinogens from air pollution(1, summary), and more!

      Where can I get broccoli sprouts?

      Many health food shops and even larger grocery stores carry sprouts. You are also welcome to try sprouting at home, but make sure to follow safety precautions to a T! Keep a clean counter space, wear gloves/wash hands when handling seeds, use the best quality water you can get, etc!

      How can I add broccoli sprouts into my daily routine besides in a salad?

       Berry Sproutin' Smoothie:

      • 1 frozen banana
      • 1/2 cup frozen broccoli sprouts
      • 2 cups greens (spinach, kale, chard)
      • 1 cup berries (blue, rasp, black, strawberry)
      • 1-2 cup(s) non-dairy mylk
      • ice
      • dash of maple syrup for extra sweetness if desired
        • note that the longer you let this set after blending, the spicier it will get, due to the sulforaphane developing!

      Sproutin' Avo Smash Toast:

      • 2 slices whole wheat toast
      • 1/2 avocado (mashed)
      • 4 slices tomato
      • 1/2 cup fresh broccoli sprouts
      • squeeze of a lemon

      Everyday at FoodNerd we are innovating new ways to use this ingredient in almost everything we create. Its our goal to make superfoods more convenient whilst treating them with the utmost care so they maintain a majority of their benefits!  You can find broccoli sprouts in our Broccoli Sprout Powder, and our Garden Puffs.

       Want to learn more? 

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      At FoodNerd, we're on a mission to redefine what kids eat today, tomorrow, and in the future. We make a wide range of tasty foods, but underneath all that deliciousness, we’re also setting new standards for nutrient density. We believe that parents should never have to compromise their children's well-being because of busy schedules or a lack of great pre-packaged options. That's why we've dedicated ourselves to creating nibbles that are positively brimming with the goodness of nature’s best ingredients.

      Our secret? Through meticulous research and development, we've harnessed a groundbreaking method (we call it Nutrient Lock Cold Processing) that preserves the natural vitality of fruits, vegetables, and sprouted seeds, ensuring that up to 98% of the nutrients remain intact. This also means that we don’t need to add any “filler” ingredients that cancel out the benefits of the best nutrients. We think it’s pretty remarkable science, but the most exciting bit goes beyond the nutritional excellence — our favorite part is that our kids love to eat something that’s so good for their future selves.

      Our products are designed to seamlessly fit into the ups and downs of parenthood. Whether it's snack time on the go, or dinner time where you’re like “where did the day go?” our healthy creations are there to support you. At FoodNerd, we believe that the healthy growth and development of our kids should go hand in hand with scientific rigor, tasty delight, and the kind of love for little ones that would make one stop at nothing in the pursuit to revolutionize how food gets made for the next generation.