02-Dec-2010

Sprouts Alive

Food for the Ages

Alfalfa sprouts—are they the poster child for the health food movement or the wonder food of the ages? New Yorker Woody Allen immortalized the 1970’s sprout fad in “Annie Hall” as he encountered the New Age dining scene (“I’ll just have the alfalfa sprouts and mashed yeast”). Well, sprouts are definitely a nutritional nirvana…perfect for any health-conscious lifestyle. 

Actually, sprouts served as a highly effective food to prevent scurvy for seagoing adventurers back in the 18th century (they’re high in Vitamin C). Sprouts are even mentioned in the Bible. In ancient China, physicians prescribed sprouted seeds and legumes for curing many disorders. Modern nutritionists recommend sprouts from mung beans, seeds, peas and barley as rich sources of digestible energy, with bioavailable vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins and other nutrients essential for human beings. So throw some yummy sprouts in a salad and garnish your veggie burger for a health-food fad that won’t fade!