About Sprouts ~ Nutritionist's Column Vol.61

April 02, 2022

COLUMN

It's April, the season for new buds to sprout.
Spring is a special time when you can enjoy delicious new shoots such as tarana buds, butterbur sprouts, fern shoots, and bracken.

The bitter compounds contained in these spring wild vegetables have the power to wake the body up from the problems that have built up during the winter, by expelling waste products and improving liver function.

What are sprouts?

The new shoots that germinate from bean or vegetable seeds are called "sprouts" in English.
It refers to the new shoots that have germinated from various vegetable seeds, so it is also called sprouted vegetables or sprout vegetables.
You can also see it in greengrocers and supermarkets.

The ingredients and nutrients contained in sprouts vary depending on the type, but they are generally rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin K, potassium, calcium, and dietary fiber.
Because they require energy to grow, they store more concentrated nutrients in their bodies than mature vegetables.

Such sprouts.
Below we will introduce some of the most representative ones.

Representative sprouts

Shelled Daikon Radish These are new radish sprouts.
It contains isothiocyanates, a spicy compound found in cruciferous vegetables, and has a characteristic sharp spiciness.
It is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin K, folic acid, vitamin C, etc.

Broccoli sprouts These are new sprouts of broccoli.
It is characterized by being rich in a compound called sulforaphane.
It has a strong antioxidant effect, and in addition to being effective in preventing aging and beautifying the skin, it also activates detoxifying enzymes in the body, leading to improved liver function and immunity.

Red Cabbage Sprouts These are the new sprouts of purple cabbage.
It is rich in vitamin U, which suppresses the secretion of stomach acid and protects the mucous membrane, beta-carotene, vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, and vitamin E, which prevents aging, as well as folic acid, which is essential for red blood cell production.

Alfalfa These are the new sprouts of the purple alfalfa plant.
This is a variety of pasture grass that has long been used as a green manure crop in Europe and the United States, and is also called "thread sprouts" because it is as thin and soft as threads.
It is rich in nutrients and is said to be effective in relieving fatigue, reducing swelling, and improving cholesterol levels.

Mustard sprouts These are new shoots of mustard greens.
It is rich in potassium, which helps to improve high blood pressure.
It is also rich in beta-carotene, which helps prevent rough skin and beautifies the skin.

Buckwheat These are new buckwheat sprouts.
It is characterized by the presence of rutin, a type of polyphenol.
It has a strong antioxidant effect and is also effective in preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
It is excellent at promoting the absorption of vitamin C, so we recommend taking it together with vitamin C, such as with ponzu sauce or citrus fruits.

Pea sprouts These are new pea sprouts.
It is rich in plant protein and also contains a lot of vitamin K, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and folic acid.

What is gemmotherapy?

A herbal therapy called "gemmotherapy," which takes advantage of the nutrient-rich characteristics of plant shoots, is attracting attention in Europe, especially in France.

Gemmotherapy is a folk remedy that was developed with the belief that incorporating extracts from new buds, which are full of vitality, can enhance healing.
Research into this therapy began in the 1960s by Belgian doctor Pol Henry, and around 1970, he and other French doctors established it as a form of herbal therapy that uses extracts from plant shoots and buds.

The shoot extract used in gemmotherapy is extracted by harvesting the buds and shoots that surround the shoots and immersing them in the solvent while they are still fresh, thus preserving the natural regenerative power of the plant's dividing tissue.
It is said that the components of these " plant stem cells " contained in the "sprouts" that are the source of plant growth act on specific organs of the body at the cellular level, promoting the recovery of their functions.

It not only supplements your nutrition, but also helps you balance yourself and build a healthy body.
The extract of new shoots is called gemmo essence, and recently "Japanese gemmo essence" has been created, extracted from the new shoots of plants that grow wild in Japan.

The change of seasons from winter to spring.
Why not try to improve your body and mind with sprouts such as wild plants, vegetables, and other plants?

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Nutritionist, Food Education Instructor, Food 6th Industrialization Producer Level 4
Ayako Ishihara

A nutritional advisor in the healthcare field and an agribusiness professional.
She is involved in a variety of activities specializing in the fields of beauty and health, including giving lectures to Miss World Japan candidates.

With the philosophy of "enriching the mind and body through food and realizing a vibrant society where people and communities are connected," he founded i-Field Co., Ltd. in 2013 and serves as its representative.
He is a core member of the food team for "DINING OUT," which opens outdoor restaurants in various regions, and also participates in fashion brand projects.
She is also involved in the promotion of local ingredients, product development and production specializing in "health" and "beauty," branding, concept design, food hygiene, sales promotion, training planning and management, etc. She is in charge of nutritional supervision for GRØN's product development, proposing ways to incorporate them more effectively into consumer health.

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