THE  LIVE  SPROUTS

Life in plants & animals is attributed to the essential presence of five principal elements – Sun, Space, Air, Water & Earth by Holy Vedas. Seeds as such are not active yet alive but when we cook them by roasting & boiling, they are totally dead & lose the power to reproduce. And when put to germination in presence of air & water they turn alive & dynamic & start growing to there parental plant form. So, eating sprouts means getting all the essential five elements in their natural proportion & also eating a sprout means eating a whole plant extract. Eating raw fruits & vegetables have always an edge over the cooked food. The pulses which can’t be taken uncooked fulfil the requirement of raw food on germination.

            The chemical changes which take place during the process change the ordinary water to organic one, the complex proteins to simple ready to assimilate  amino acids, starch to instant energizer glucose, hard to digest fats to their simple readily digestible forms, the quantity of vitamins raises wonderfully & loss of B-Complex group vitamins & vitamin-C does not occur as the sprouts are always advised raw & are not heated. Though the millets & cereals are rich in minerals yet the minerals are not available to the body due to their complex bindings with Phytates. The phytates break only on germination to provide bound phosphorus to seeds & in the process the important minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc & Iron become absorbable to the body.

            The miraculous Vitamin-E is maximum in wheat germ & other oil yielding seeds. Researchers find its major role in male as well as female infertility. Apart from being anti-abortive, it treats so many other gynae problems also. The antioxidant properties of natural vitamin-E guard against serious diseases like Cancer, Strokes, Arthritis, Diabetes etc. . Recent studies show that Vitamin-E boost the immune system of older people to strengthen their resistance to infections. It also prevents narrowing of blood vessels & thus in a way guard the heart. Muscle cramps can be cured with this vitamin.

            So sprouts push aside the synthetic multi vitamins & inorganic minerals. Also you are safe against the overdose of vitamins.

            Germinated wheat, alpha-alpha, fenugreek seeds, sesame etc. have certain medicinal values also.

            The outer coatings of the germinated seeds provide a good quantity of fiber also which helps to clean the bowels. Further the sprouts need more of chewing & mastication –exercise of the jaws. Mixing of saliva makes them further digestible.

            Sprouts can be the best bet for the people who want a weight loss. Their different natural taste does not allow you to eat more than your appetite. Another plus point is that no chemical pollutants are added to the sprouts to make them palatable.

            Wheat, Grams, Peas, Moong, Mothe, Lobiya, Bajra, Alpha-Alpha, Groundnuts, Almonds, Seeds of sesame, Fenugreek. Sunflower are such which germinate easily.

            While the cereals yield much of complex-B vitamins, the pulses have added good proteins. Millets & Cereals are rich in minerals while oil seeds are saturated with fats. So while going for the sprouts, a sensible mixture of the above can give you the best of nutrients.

            A sour & salty salad can be prepared by adding onions, mint & coriander leaves, fresh ginger, green chilies, cucumber & tomatoes with lemon juice.

.           The addition of some honey, dates(fresh or dried), gurh (jaggery),  raisins & figs etc. make a high quality nourishment for the children as well as for the old ones. Grinding this mixture into a paste can be tried for the weaning infants but in small quantities. Blending the sprouts with milk, sugarcane juice, orange juice can be the best energizer for the people who can not chew or the patients recovering from the wasting diseases. A porridge made from the dried germinated wheat is a delicious recipe.

Germination in winters is slightly difficult & time consuming but you can do it faster in a very simple way. Soak the seeds in fresh water for about twelve hours till they absorb enough water & become slightly soft. Drain out the excess of water thoroughly & put the seeds in a caserol covering properly with the lid. This retains the heat produced during the chemical changes taking place & results in faster germination.

Keeping the sprouts in Sunlight can be more beneficial.

One should be careful to consume the sprouts to the optimum of their freshness. Keeping them not preserved for longer periods can cause contamination. Slightly warm & humid atmosphere causes fungal growth on sprouts. So, the sprouts should be best avoided during rainy season.

            The real vigor from the economical sprouts can only be felt  after you adopt them in regular diet.

Dr Satish Bajaj

7 A.G.C.R Enclave

Delhi -110092

Ph.011 22374713, Mob: 9868569986