What’s so special about broccoli sprouts? According to various researchers (including Johns Hopkins and Ohio State University), they contain 1,000 percent more nutrients than mature broccoli!
Sulforaphane, the prominent phytochemical in broccoli, combats cancer on several fronts − including removal of carcinogens, prevention of cancer cell production, destruction of breast cancer cells, and tumor reduction. These small plants are in the cancer research limelight for their unique ability to exert 50 times more cancer-fighting power than broccoli.
Sprouts are easily absorbed into the system because they also contain potent digestive enzymes. Their flavor allows for easily adding them to all your favorite meals. Broccoli sprouts are also easy to grow and will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
7 Easy Steps for Growing Broccoli Sprouts
Step #1: Start with three tablespoons organic, high germination broccoli seeds for sprouting. (Click on the Sources & References link below the article for a few online sources for seeds). Prep the 3 tablespoons of seeds by rinsing them thoroughly in a tightly woven stainless steel or plastic strainer while removing any debris and non-seed material.
Step #2: Place the rinsed seeds in a quart sized, pre-sterilized, glass jar (a mason canning jar that’s been rinsed with boiling water and cooled is a good choice). Fill the jar with approximately ¾ cup or more of spring or purified water. The quantity of water is not crucial as the seeds will only absorb the amount necessary for sprouting.
Push down any floating seeds with your finger as broccoli seeds tend to float at first. Place the jar in an easy to notice place (such as the kitchen counter near the sink, which is where I keep mine) for eight hours.
Step #3: Drain-Rinse-Drain again. In this step you skim off any floating bits and then drain them through the strainer, or place a plastic screen or piece of cheesecloth in the mason jar lid and drain water out this way. (If using an ordinary quart jar take the cheesecloth or plastic screen and secure it with a heavy rubber band around the mouth of the jar). It is important to keep seeds rinsed, but not soaking in water from this point on or they will rot.
Invert the container for ten minutes or so at approximately 45 degrees on a dish rack or other holder to ensure the sprouts are free from
excess water. Then set them in a well-ventilated area where they will be noticed during the day so you remember to rinse and drain them every 8 hours. You can add water through the screen without removing the lid to make it easier. Then shake the seeds down and lay the jar on its side until it’s time to rinse again. Repeat this process for three days or until you see two leaves emerge.
Step #4: Place them in indirect or partial sunlight to let them get greener. After another day or two of rinsing and draining, they are ready to store in the refrigerator.
Step #5: Remove the hulls of the seeds by placing the sprouts in a bowl or other large container of clean water. Gently pull the sprout mass apart and allow the seed hulls to float to the top. Skim the top, rinse the sprouts again and return them to their jar with the screen on top. Invert the jar to allow all the water to drain off and allow to dry sufficiently (approximately 8 hours).
Step #6: Place the broccoli sprouts in the refrigerator in a covered jar or other suitable container for later use in salads, sandwiches, or to eat alone as a snack.
Step #7: Enjoy! There are many ways to use this nutrient dense food. However, to fully benefit from all the nutritional properties of these sprouts it is best to consume them in their natural raw (uncooked) state.
Gabrielleanimal the +sources and references is just underneath the red banner advertising the Ttac website. Look on the left side with a ‘+’ sign.
Gabrielle, I’m just a reader and I noticed that you can’t find the Source & Reference. It’s right below the article, it gas a PLUS sign in front of it. Click it and it’ll expand.
how much do you have to consume a day to get the benefits
I would say 3 cups if your sick and a cup to maintain, and it won’t hurt to eat six cups of this a day, but HOW? Well I put it on top of cooked beans or grind it all in food processor and mix in corn….I love corn, but been using GMO I guess..it’s everywhere….have to find organic corn but the warning is strong that they people that sell anything, either ignorant or lie most of the time…..
The same seed expert giving conventions told me that GMO didn’t get used on cherries but they are all sold in the grocery marked with the 4000+ numbers in the package that means definitely GMO cherries.
This isn’t easy folks.
Can someone tell me if they consumed sprouted seeds during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding? This is one of those taboo subjects that no one can tell me anything about, yet, they know “it is not safe”. I have been getting mixed info from my own research; can someone with experience help me out, please?
I am 8 months pregnant, had emergency surgery for a MRSA infected Hobo Spider bite at 9 weeks along and nearly died. I was given several rounds of 7 different antibiotics and they wrecked my immune system. So, I would like to fix my gut flora and eat as clean and organic as possible, so I do not pass along unhealthy gut flora/immune system to my baby, and so I can be healthy as well.
Any info would help.
Thanks,
Kim
How did you take your frankincense? I’ve heard about that? Is that 2 drops on your tongue? And where did you buy yours from is it okay just to pick up at a health food store?
You would be insane to eat sprouts while pregnant. They have a higher risk of disease (e coli and salmonella) than just about anything other than cantaloupe. It’s a raw food that, once contaminated, is going to be consumed with the contamination.
If it is purchased there is a chance of contamination: As in all food. Being careful at home should be no more problematic than eating other foods.
that’s a lot of work. Can you just buy the sprouts so long as they are organic.
Organic broccoli seeds are not cheap, so I assume that their sprouts must be very expensive. Also there have been contamination problems with commercial sprouts. Finally, sprouting is the closest to having a vegetable garden…
I am on a low sulfur diet and do not eat any cruciferous vegetables. Would these broccoli sprouts be safe for me? …a good way for me to get these nutrients or not?
Excellent directions- thank you!
Where is the best place to order the organic brocolli seeds? I have been wanting to do this for along time. Thought you had to order a special container for this.
Thank you
Hi Loretta,
We don’t have a specific place that we recommend. Your local grocer may have some organic broccoli seeds. Best wishes!
Hi my father was diagnosed with Renal Cancer Stage 4 and was advised by the oncologist to take Votrient/Pazopanib. My question is it safe to eat raw broccoli sprouts while taking this medicine hope for your soonest reply.
Hello Jerson,
The content in the article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician.
I have seen broccoli sprouts available at my local grocery store, but I never bought them. I should try them sometimes.
Silvia, yes you should! We couldn’t recommend them more 🙂
Is it goitrogenic ?
Hi Flo, yes they are in the cruciferous family. Here’s another article on cruciferous foods you may enjoy: https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/cruciferous-vegetable-protect-against-cancer/
I freeze my sprouts and then include them in my smoothies.
Yum
I grow Microgreens which is what you have featured in the pictures where you talk about sprouts. There is a huge difference in Sprouts vs Microgreens. Very different growing mediums and they look different too. Sprouts grow in jars and have little tails that grow out of the seed after just a few days. Microgreens which is what you have shown in all the pictures grow in a controlled environment under lights. They take 10 days to fully grow.
The benefits I have experienced are off the charts with Broccoli microgreens. I no longer have any PMS. I no longer have lumpy fibrous breasts, breast tenderness before period, cramps, nothing! Broccoil microgreens when eaten daily in large amounts detox the estrogen in your body and are just a great detoxer for the liver too. I add them to everything I eat. I chop them up so they don’t take over. I also grow sunflower, beet, spicy mixed salad, and radish microgreens. I am an addict so grateful I grow them as it is almost impossible to find at any store and even if you do they are old and not as potent as they are if you grow them yourself.
What seeds do you buy and where ? tks