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Sprouts contain substantial amounts of nutrients that benefit the body in a variety of ways. When the seeds germinate, the roots start to break out from the seed coat which does two things.
Whole seeds are covered with a layer of phytic acid or phytate which acts as a repository to store phosphorus and other important nutrients in the plant which help them grow. When the seeds sprout, this layer of phytic acid breaks. This unlocks all the nutrients which allows for maximum absorption and makes them easier to digest.
However, no matter how healthy the sprouts are, when eaten in improper ways, sprouts can lead to stomach discomfort, food poisoning, gas and bloating. You can only get the most out of it if you know the proper way of including them in your diet. Here are a few basic tips you need to keep in mind when consuming sprouts to maximise their benefits.
Learn The Right Way Of Consuming Sprouts
1) Avoid Eating Raw Sprouts
Raw sprouts are a host of harmful bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella. These bacteria can lead to food poisoning, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach discomfort. Moreover, raw sprouts are often difficult to digest which is why it becomes harder to absorb all the nutrients sufficiently. However, not everyone faces discomfort eating raw sprouts, still, it is better to avoid eating them to reduce the chances of side effects.
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2) Do Not Eat Same Sprouts Everyday
Different kinds of sprouts provide different benefits. To get an absolute all-encompassing diet with a variety of nutrients, it is necessary to include various kinds of sprouts. If you keep eating the same kinds of sprouts every day, it becomes harder to break down and digest the nutrients and may lead to gas and bloating.
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3) Do Not Consume Excessively
Consuming sprouts in large quantities is linked with a variety of health problems. As sprouts are difficult to digest, eating in excess can lead to abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and food poisoning. Along with this, sprouts also contain bacteria which are harmful to the body. Besides, eating sprouts excessively also leads to nutrient overload which can cause adverse effects on health too.
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4) Do Not Overcook
Cooked sprouts are much more beneficial than raw sprouts as they make nutrients easy to digest. However, overcooking kills vital nutrients and leaches out essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Overcooking also alters the taste and texture of sprouts and reduces their natural sweetness. Furthermore, overcooking also destroys the antioxidants in sprouts, potentially resulting in the development of hazardous chemicals such as acrylamide or heterocyclic amines.
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The Right Way Of Eating Sprouts:
It is beneficial to consume properly cooked sprouts with mild spices and also use different varieties of sprouts rather than sticking to just one. You can either boil the sprouts in salt water for 10-15 minutes or saute them in a little oil in order to kill the harmful bacteria, make them a little tender and enhance flavour. You can include sprouts in your burger, salads, sandwiches, stir fry and chaat as well.
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While sprouts are a healthy addition to meals, it is important to avoid the wrong ways of doing it for prolonged benefits. More than just being healthy, sprouts also taste amazing when you make delectable dishes out of them.
