February 24, 2016 · Written by Foodtolive Team

Eating Sprouts: Wonderful Benefits for Your Hair, Skin, and Overall Health

Eating sprouts has been popular with health-oriented people for a long time. First off, they’re low in calories, which makes them a great asset for weigh-conscious people. Moreover, these small nutrient giants are just loaded with the vitamins, fiber, and minerals that your body desperately need to stay fit.

Sprouted seeds, nuts, beans, legumes, and grains are often neglected since people lack relevant information about the health-boosting properties of this natural treasure. It’s been established that sprouts are 100 times richer in enzymes than any unprocessed veggies and fruits.

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The Nature of Sprouting

So, what is sprouting? It’s actually a process of germination of different plants like alfalfa, chickpeas, wheat, clover, chia, etc. Some people prefer eating sprouts raw, although there are some people who enjoy cooked ones. The reason behind its usefulness is that when the shoots are about a week old, the number of essential nutrients in them increases significantly. Therefore, your bodies can receive about 3 times more useful elements while consuming fewer calories.

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Health Benefits of Eating Sprouts for Your Hair

Healthy hair is just a reflection of a healthy body. If you want it to shine, you should take proper care of it. Here are the ways your hair can benefit when you eat sprouted foods:

  • Long hair.
    It’s a common fact that your hair needs vitamins C and K to grow strong and long. Vitamin C, in particular, takes an active part in fighting off the negative effects of oxidation. Mung bean sprouts are a great remedy to prevent the hair from falling out. Moreover, eating sprouts that are rich in protein will make your hair smooth and glossy.
  • Strong hair.
    Vitamin E that’s present in sprouted grains and beans improves the circulation of blood in your skull. Thus, your hair roots get more nourishment and your hair becomes much stronger and more beautiful. Moreover, minerals such as iron allow a sufficient amount of oxygen to reach your hair tresses and their roots. This lets them remain healthy-looking.
  • Thick hair.
    Sprouts are packed with vitamin A that’s responsible for activating the hair growth from new follicles. A lack of this vitamin can lead to significant hair loss and dryness; that’s why it’s important to replenish it in the most efficient way – by eating sprouts. Moreover, sprouted products are really good at restoring your hormone balance, which is highly ranked among the hair loss causes.
  • Young-looking hair.
    Free radicals are the primary reason for early gray hairs. Since sprouts contain plenty of powerful antioxidants, they protect it from premature color and glitter loss. Make sure to include these small plants into your diet to enjoy your hair looking young as long as possible.
  • No flakes of scurf.
    Dandruff is one of the most irritating hair conditions. Some people think it’s a purely cosmetic problem. However, it’s usually caused by a fungus that makes the dry skin fall off your head. Selenium, which is present in sprouted food, is effective in coping with it. Furthermore, it activates the growth of the hair.
  • Elastic hair.
    The omega-3s that you receive when eating sprouts are really essential if you want to prevent your hair from being brittle and dry. They nourish the roots and follicles to make them look alive and shiny. In addition, biotin in the sprouted food can give life to your dry and brittle hairs as well as promote their growth.

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Health Benefits of Eating Sprouted Plants for Your Skin

Your skin is your largest organ, and it requires lots of care. If you want it to look young and healthy, it’s high time you started eating sprouts. Here are some benefits you will take advantage of if you start eating them:

  • Good-looking skin.
    Your skin reflects the condition of your digestive system. If you start eating healthy foods, it’ll pay you back by looking radiant and beautiful. Eating sprouts is the best way to ensure that your body receives enough nutrients and doesn’t get overloaded with fat (i.e. your liver can function properly). This can’t but become visible on your skin condition.
  • Skin cancer prevention.
    This type of cancer is mainly provoked by the free radicals that appear when you stay in the sun for a long time uncovered or unprotected. The antioxidants in the sprouts ensure that your skin cells are protected from the threat of sun rays; thus, warding off skin cancer.
  • Proper skin hydration.
    Some sprouts, like peas, are rich in B vitamins. It’s known to be able to control the discharge of oily secretions. Therefore, it prevents the pores from getting blocked and allows your skin to absorb the necessary amount of water to avoid dehydration.
  • Faster skin healing.
    Eating sprouts can really accelerate the skin restoration process since vitamin C promotes the production of collagen, the element that is essential for your skin to remain young and radiant. For instance, a cup of brussel sprouts can supply your daily need of this vitamin especially if you’re allergic to citrus fruits. Moreover, your complexion is also affected by them. Enjoy consuming sprouted foods to have flawless skin.
  • Slower aging process.
    The aforementioned collagen also has anti-aging properties due to beta-carotene (one of the antioxidants), which is converted into retinol with the help of the enzymes. The retinol is an integral component of anti-aging skin therapy. Thus, to remain wrinkle-free for longer, it’s better to eat broccoli sprouts as they’re high in beta-carotene.
  • Pimple-free skin.
    The omega-3 fatty acids that are contained in the sprouts serve as a great anti-inflammatory remedy. This property lowers the risk of skin irritations and acne. Even an unpleasant skin condition such as psoriasis can be relieved by eating sprouts. In addition, these fiber-rich sprouts have a positive effect on your digestive system, which also reduces the risk of acne, since the latter happens when the digestive ferments don’t function to their fullest. So, consuming sprouted plants will help you enjoy clear and smooth skin.
  • Skin detox.
    If you want your skin to be radiant and healthy, it’s important to detoxify the whole body. Sprouted foods can boast of having silica, a nutrient which helps your body get rid of toxins and prevents your skin from dehydration by influencing different skin components.

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General Health Benefits of Eating Sprouts

  • Blood pressure under control.
    Glucoraphanin, a natural compound that’s found in broccoli sprouts, has been proven to be able to reduce high blood pressure in people who suffer from hypertension. Moreover, sprouts are sodium-free. The latter is known to be one of the factors causing such health conditions.
  • Healthy heart.
    Omega-3s are the fatty acids that can lower your “bad” cholesterol level, a high level of which has a very negative effect on the whole cardiovascular system. So, eating sprouts can protect you from serious heart diseases.
  • No sugar roller-coasters.
    Globulin and albumin in the sprouted grains help diabetics manage their blood sugar as they’re high in fiber and protein.
  • Healthy digestive tract.
    Your metabolism is really boosted when you consume sprouted foods since they have lots of enzymes that are so needed for healthy digestion and maximum nutrient absorption. In addition, plenty of fibers in these products helps you stay regular. Thus, your digestive tract gets rid of the toxins regularly.
  • Lower risk of cancer.
    Antioxidants, the vitamins A and C, as well as proteins and amino acids have significant anti-cancer properties warding off the damage from the free radicals that make your healthy cells turn into tumors. Therefore, eating sprouts can seriously reduce your chances of developing cancer.
  • Boosted immunity.
    Consuming sprouts can definitely strengthen your body’s defense system due to the content of the vitamins C and A. The former is well-known as a natural immunity booster, while vitamin A contains antioxidants that help your immunity fight off various infections and bacteria.
  • Good eyesight.
    Sight deterioration such as glaucoma and cataracts can be stopped by eating sprouted products since they have antioxidants that are able to ward off the damage of your retina’s cells from the free radicals.
  • Allergy relief.
    Some sprouts like broccoli have shown allergy relieving properties. Though the mechanism itself hasn’t been examined yet, people suffering from asthma and allergic reactions have noticed some improvements in their condition after eating sprouts.