Experts say: Sprouts are highly nutritious, and their nutritional value is also high. Especially for middle-aged and elderly people, eating sprouts is beneficial for their health, so it is recommended for the elderly to eat sprouts.
When it comes to mung bean sprouts, soybean sprouts, and even Chinese toon sprouts, peanut sprouts, radish sprouts, buckwheat sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, and Sichuan pepper sprouts, these are vegetables that we are very familiar with. These are the increasingly popular sprouts. Sprouts have a high nutritional value. Due to their short growth period, they do not require fertilizers or pesticides to achieve good yields, and they are basically pollution-free vegetables. In terms of nutritional composition, sprouts contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially phosphorus. The vitamin A content in radish sprouts is equivalent to ten times that of Chinese cabbage. The vitamin C content in bean sprouts, Chinese toon sprouts, and radish sprouts is also much higher than that of commonly eaten vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers.
Sprouts include seed sprouts and plant sprouts. The former refers to sprouts grown from seeds, such as bean sprouts, radish sprouts, etc., while the latter refers to sprouts that grow directly on plants, such as Chinese toon sprouts, snow pea shoots, etc. Their common characteristics are a short growth period, usually one to two weeks, after which they can be consumed. They do not require fertilization, only a proper amount of water, and their nutrients are provided by seeds and the plants themselves. When consumed, they have a good texture, rich in dietary fiber, and the nutrients are easily absorbed. There are many ways to eat sprouts, but they are best enjoyed in cold dishes, hot pot, and soups, as these methods can highlight their tenderness and freshness. It is important to note that not all sprouts can be eaten raw. Bean sprouts need to be cooked before consumption, while radish sprouts are better when eaten raw.
In addition, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, different sprouts have different health benefits. Goji sprouts nourish the yin and strengthen the yang; black bean sprouts have a slightly cooling nature and a sweet taste, with the functions of promoting blood circulation, diuresis, clearing heat, reducing swelling, and nourishing the liver and improving eyesight. Mung bean sprouts are cool in nature and have a sweet taste. They have the effects of detoxifying alcohol, heat, and swelling. Chinese toon sprouts aid in digestion and regulate the body's endocrine system. Buckwheat sprouts are rich in rutin, which has the effects of dilation and strengthening of blood vessels. It is a good health food for patients with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Radish sprouts have a slightly cooling nature and a sweet taste, with the functions of strengthening the stomach, aiding digestion, relieving cough, resolving phlegm, and moistening dryness.
（Picture: sprouts）
