Many adherents of a healthy diet are interested in information about the benefits and harms of sprouted lentils. Lentil sprouts contain a large amount of nutrients for the human body. The chemical composition of sprouted wheat is a source of essential substances to maintain health. Sprouted lentils contain mineral components. The nutritional value of cereal sprouts is high; regular consumption of them will help maintain health for a long time.
Beneficial features
Sprouted lentil grains are used more often as a source of protein for the body by vegetarians. The composition includes a large number of vitamins and microelements, for example:
- Vitamin C.
- Vegetable protein.
- Antioxidants.
- Carbohydrates have a special structure and composition (they are distinguished by their ability to be especially actively absorbed by the body during the day).
- Lysine.
- Iron.
- Methionine.
- Thiamine.
Beneficial properties of sprouted lentils for humans:
- Helps lower blood sugar (recommended for diabetics).
- Reduces bad cholesterol levels.
- Has a beneficial effect on hair growth and beauty.
- Regular inclusion of lentil sprouts in the diet removes toxins from the body.
- Complex carbohydrates help relieve fatigue.
- Helps restore skin.
- Improves the functioning of the digestive system.
- Acts as a preventative against cancer.
- Due to its low calorie content, it is suitable for people who are overweight.
- Including seed sprouts in food helps prevent allergens.
- Helps restore the functioning of the genitourinary system.
- Increases the body's resistance to colds and viral diseases.
- The sprouts will be especially useful for people suffering from low hemoglobin and anemia (microelements included in the cereal increase the body's production of red blood cells).
The content of useful substances in this product helps eliminate signs of depression, cope with alcoholism and recover faster from stressful situations. Methionine, which is part of the chemical composition of sprouted cereals, has an anti-inflammatory effect, has a positive effect on the liver and reduces muscle pain.
Thanks to thiamine, the required amount of glucose is formed.It is also involved in important processes, such as water-salt, fat and protein metabolism.
Sprouted lentils are used as a low-calorie dish for weight loss. They have a powerful effect on tissues and promote the breakdown of fats. Which, in turn, helps reduce weight. It is used as an independent dish and for preparing other dietary recipes.
Harm to the body
But sprouted lentil grains can be not only beneficial for the body. Harm from sprouted lentils leads to negative consequences. Eating cereals is contraindicated for some categories of people.
Eating sprouted lentils leads to negative consequences in the following cases:
- Due to the high fiber content of sprouts, this negatively affects the gastrointestinal tract of some people, leading to increased gas formation and bloating.
- Dysbacteriosis, ulcers, duodenal disease and other gastrointestinal pathologies are a contraindication to the inclusion of sprouts in food. Any diseases of the gastric mucosa cannot cope with the breakdown of proteins contained in lentils.
- Sprouts are not recommended for people suffering from joint diseases.
- For gout and gastric dyskinesia, inclusion in the diet is strictly prohibited.
Another category of people who are prohibited from eating sprouts and seeds are those who suffer from lentil intolerance.
Sprouted lentils in medicine
The beneficial properties of lentil sprouts have long been proven by nutritionists and are not in doubt. Despite the fact that doctors advise eating lentil sprouts, they bring not only benefits, but also harm if used incorrectly.
Doctors recommend including the product in the diet of women.Sprouts help relieve the unpleasant symptoms of menopause and cope with disorders of the reproductive system. Cereal relieves PMS symptoms. Prevents the development of uterine pathologies and malignant neoplasms in the mammary glands. It has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and prevents bleeding.
For men, the positive effects of seeds on the body include maintaining the health of the genitourinary system and coping with many diseases of the organs of this system.
For children, the benefit of lentil sprouts is to support growth and bone formation. Strengthens brain activity, which is especially important during the growth and development of a growing organism. This is due to the fact that the seeds contain plant proteins, which are responsible for the growth and formation of the skeletal system.
Lentil sprouts are also beneficial for older people, as they strengthen the skeletal system. In older people, it is especially in dire need of additional support.
Traditional recipes with lentils
Lentil sprouts are often used in folk medicine to treat many diseases. You need to introduce cereal into your diet gradually and in small portions so that the body gets used to its action.
Treatment with folk remedies:
- Sprouted grains are added to various vegetable salads.
- At the beginning of the course of treatment, take 100–150 g of sprouts. One tablespoon before breakfast on an empty stomach will be enough to maintain good health throughout the day.
- For weight loss, take 100 g of cereal daily every morning before breakfast. This will satisfy your hunger for a long time and will promote the breakdown of fats throughout the day.
Exceeding the daily intake leads to flatulence and increased gas formation in the stomach.If you have gastritis and a predisposition to constipation, taking lentils in large quantities is contraindicated.
To speed up the weight loss process, lentil sprouts are mixed with fresh vegetables and boiled chicken breast. This salad should only be seasoned with vegetable or olive oil. The dish helps maintain a feeling of fullness for a long time and at the same time is nutritious and healthy.
If sprouted lentils are to be consumed cooked, then salt should not be added during cooking. Its content promotes fluid retention in the body.
Norm for use
The benefits and harms of lentil sprouts have long been proven by nutritionists. The rate of consumption of the product, as recommended by doctors, should not exceed two servings per week. The proper functioning of all organs depends on a sufficient amount of microelements received along with cereals. But if sprouts are consumed frequently, nutrients from other foods will no longer be absorbed.
The nutritional value and calorie content of lentil sprouts is much higher than any other legume. Sprouts contain 0.5 g of fat, 9 g of vegetable protein and 22.1 g of complex carbohydrates. Calorie content per 100 g of finished product is 107.5 kcal. Such indicators of the content of useful substances, when consumed regularly, help reduce excess weight.
How to properly sprout lentils at home?
Sprouted lentil grains are rich in vitamins and minerals. You can germinate cereals at home. This does not require special devices or skills.
Currently, a large number of plant varieties are known, but green, orange or black varieties are most often used for food.It will not be difficult to germinate cereals if you provide them with the conditions necessary for the growth of sprouts. First of all, it is heat, humidity and diffused light.
Common ways to germinate seeds at home:
- Sort the grains and rinse with hot water. Then place it on a baking sheet or enamel tray.
- Spray the cereal with water from a spray bottle, moisten the gauze and fold in several layers. Cover the seeds with gauze and leave for a day. You should remember to check the humidity periodically. The seeds should not dry out.
- When the first day has passed, the process has passed, the water in the dish is drained, the lentils are sprinkled with water and covered with damp gauze. It is important to ensure that the cereal has access to oxygen. Otherwise, it will begin to become moldy.
- Leave future sprouts in this form for another day. The main thing is not to allow the grains to dry out.
- Store sprouted grains in a dry glass container with a closed lid. The shelf life of such cereals does not exceed five days.
- If spoiled seeds are or have appeared among the preparations, they are sorted out and the spoiled ones are thrown away.
The rest of the workpiece is washed as follows:
- Spread the seeds in a thin layer on a baking sheet and add water so that the liquid covers them by 2-3 cm.
- Cover the lentils with wet gauze or a napkin and leave in this state for 10 hours.
- After 10 hours, place the workpiece in a colander and allow excess water to drain.
- Then spray the seeds with water, cover with damp gauze and leave again for a day, observing the same conditions as for germination.
This is an easy way to save nutritious grains.