Health Benefits of Sprouting Seeds

There has been a great deal of research into the benefits of eating sprouting seeds – in particular whole wheat berries; peer reviewed laboratory experiments appear to show that these food products have a significant number of health benefits.

Most of us know and understand the many benefits of plant based foods – they are generally nutrient rich and an excellent source of energy.

It makes sense then, that consuming the seeds of germinating plants will provide many health benefits. Germination causes rapid multiplication of nutrients when seeds are provided with the right growing conditions.

Seed ‘parcels’

Most seeds are constructed in such a way as to be prevented from germinating until ideal conditions are achieved – meaning that some seeds remain viable for long periods. Wheat berries thought to be thousands of years old were found to be viable after their discovery in the pyramids of Egypt.

Benefits of sprouting seeds

Consumption of sprouting seeds and whole wheat berries provides a number of benefits – multiplication of the nutrients contained therein and neutralizing of the powerful inhibitors maintaining viability of the seeds. These inhibitors include phytic acid – known to reduce absorption of a number of essential minerals.

Soaking overnight

It is essential to soak whole grains in an acidic solution prior to consumption in order to prevent the phytic acid binding the very minerals we need to consume – failure to follow this overnight soaking process may well result in mineral deficiency and increase the risk factors for the development of osteoporosis.

Enzyme inhibitors will also be neutralized when the seed is sprouted or soaked correctly. Failure to neutralize the enzymes within the seed may cause the enzymes of our digestive tract to be neutralized, with a negative impact on overall health.

Soaking sprouting seeds does, however, produce beneficial plant enzymes in the early stages of growth that may be exhausted as the plant grows – consuming sprouted seeds berries will ensure we receive the maximum benefit from these plant enzymes.

Germination

Germination of any plant causes a dramatic increase in the antioxidant properties of the plant. Studies have shown that, in particular, vitamin C and E content, along with beta-carotene content, increases as germination proceeds – even when the content of these compounds was negligible prior to the germination process.

Antioxidants

There are many studies showing the great number of health benefits provided by antioxidants.These compounds are known to reduce the risk of cancer as they reduce the effects of free radicals on DNA.

Buying your sprouting seeds

Sourcing your sprouting seeds may initially be quite difficult – they are not generally available at the local grocery store for example. Try to find organically grown sprouting seeds from a local supplier such as a grain farm or mill.

Incorporating sprouting seeds in your diet

When sprouting your seeds it is probably wise to start with a small amount – one or two cups for example. Soak the sprouting seeds for at least twelve hours in a covered container after rinsing them well. Once the sprouting seeds have been soaked and drained they should be rinsed a couple of times each day.

The length of sprouting time will depend on the planned method of preparation and is very much an individual choice. Seeds that are to be dehydrated and cracked may only require sprouting for a couple of days at the most. Cracking the dehydrated sprouting seeds reduces cooking time and can be done by hand. These sprouted seeds can be used in a number of ways –

• Creamed wheat
• Added to soups and casseroles
• Added to vegetables to provide added flavor and texture

Sprouted wheat berries are an inexpensive way of adding variety, taste, and versatility to your diet, whilst, at the same time, providing a wide range of health benefits.

What is Aging?

Some scientists and physicians suggest that aging is a ‘disease’. This is not a fair description. Aging is not a disease but part of the process of life itself!

You cannot reverse aging but you can help slow it down to an optimal level which nature intended. So, how long should we live for? This is a subject of much debate and disagreement.

Some scientists claim extraordinary times…200+ years. However, this is really in the realm of science fiction.

The position of Xtend-Life is that it is possible to live to the projected maximum human life span of 120 years. To achieve this, your life has to be well balanced! In other words, your lifestyle, your diet, the amount of exercise you do, the environment you live in and your nutrient intake have to be as close as possible to optimal.

To learn more about how aging occurs and ways to slow down your biological clock, visit Xtend-Life’s Overview of Anti-Aging research page today.
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