My Top Ten Reasons to Grow Sprouts and Microgreens

What are sprouts anyway? In a nutshell, they are regular seeds (like the ones people plant in their gardens) that have just started to grow. After being either soaked in water for a few hours or simply misted with water, the seed starts to germinate. In a short time, a tiny root pops out. That is a sprout. In that stage, you can eat it. Or, you can allow it to grow a bit longer until small leaves form, which is called the “microgreen stage.” Essentially, sprouts and microgreens are baby vegetables.

Scientific evidence supports the fact that sprouts and microgreens are miracle foods. Personally, I’ve been growing and eating sprouts and microgreens for over 40 years. Here are my top ten reasons for growing sprouts and microgreens. 

1. Live vs. dead food. Much (or most) of the food people eat is either heavily processed or (nearly) dead on arrival. Grocery-store produce, even what is organically grown, is generally picked before it’s fully ripe and transported many miles or imported from another country. It may also be grown out of season to provide for consumer demands year around. When it finally reaches your plate, it contains only a fraction of the nutrients that seasonally grown, fresh produce contains. For example, one study showed that vitamin C levels in broccoli were doubled when it was harvested in season.¹ Growing and eating freshly cut sprouts gives you nutritionally loaded live food that is far superior to practically anything you can buy in the store. 
2. Nutritional powerhouse. When a tiny seed germinates and sprouts, its protein, vitamin (A, B-complex, C, and E), mineral, and trace mineral content increases dramatically from what was in the original seed. Eating these nutritional powerhouses gives you the concentrated source of nutrients needed for a seed to germinate and grow; for instance, a concentration of minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.² In fact, researchers who studied nutrient groups in microgreens, including vitamins A, C, E, and K, found that these little plants can have up to 40 times the amount of nutrition found in the full-grown plant.³
3. Cheap year-round way to eat organic veggies. When you grow and eat your own sprouts and microgreens, you are eating organic food that hasn’t been sprayed with cancer-causing pesticides. Organic food is expensive. Growing your own is much cheaper!
4. Highest retention of nutrients. When you buy fruits and vegetables in a supermarket, they have usually been harvested weeks before you buy them, and during each day of storage, transportation, and sitting (in the produce section), they lose nutritional value. But when you eat homegrown sprouts immediately after harvesting them (which is what I usually do), you get their fullest nutrient content. 
5. Ten times cheaper than store-bought sprouts. Purchased at a supermarket, alfalfa sprouts cost an average of $4 for a small plastic container. But if you buy a small packet of alfalfa seeds and grow them yourself, you may get ten times the sprouts for the same price. 
6. No garden space needed. Even if you don’t have land, a garden, or an orchard, you can still grow a fabulous indoor garden and eat fresh, organic vegetables every day.
7. No gardening expertise needed. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can still learn to grow beautiful, mouth-watering, fresh sprouts and microgreens like a pro. 
8. Small living space? No problem! Even if you have limited space in your house or apartment, all you need is a sink, some seeds, a jar or two, some small containers, and small places on your windowsill or in a cupboard to grow lots of fresh sprouts.
9. High in fiber. Sprouts and microgreens are high in fiber, which helps undigested food pass quickly from your body so it doesn’t have time to rot within (contributing to colon cancer). Aside from improving digestion, the insoluble fiber also functions as a prebiotic—food for good bacteria living in our gut. More and more research is coming out on the importance of healthy gut bacteria for immunity and preventing lifestyle illnesses.⁴ No doubt, your gut microbiome will love some sprouted cuisine and reward you with better health! 
10. Enhances immunity and prevents disease. Sprouts and microgreens contain powerful properties that enhance your immune system, which helps your body fight deadly diseases like cancer, COVID-19, and much more. For example, broccoli sprouts contain a cancer-fighting compound called sulforaphane, which is best absorbed by the body when obtained from fresh sprouts (as opposed to a supplement).⁵ Studies using broccoli sprout powder have also shown its powerful effects for decreasing LDL cholesterol and insulin resistance in diabetic patients.⁶
11. It’s fun! Bonus reason: Growing sprouts and microgreens is fun! You’ll love it! 

“If we lose our health, we’ve lost almost everything” is a wise saying. Our bodies are made up of trillions of tiny, microscopic cells, and each one of them needs quality nutrition to function optimally. When we eat home-grown sprouts and microgreens, we are eating 100% organic, non-GMO, nutrient-loaded, pesticide-free live food that will cause our cells to thrive. In this age of soil deficiency, too much Roundup being sprayed on plants, wide-scale pollution, and killer diseases, it makes perfect sense to spend a little extra time and effort learning how to significantly boost our health. Consider growing sprouts and microgreens. If you do, your body will bless you. Again, my motto is: You can do it!

Now that you know all the wonderful benefits of growing (and eating) your own sprouts and microgreens, the question should be asked: Why aren’t more people sprouting? See if any of these common excuses to not try sprouting (see below) apply to you. 

What’s Keeping You from Sprouting?

 “I’m too busy to sprout.”

No, you’re not. Once you learn what to do, it takes only a few minutes each day to grow lots of super healthy sprouts. 

 “I don’t have enough room to sprout.” 

Yes, you do. All you need is a sink, a small jar, a small packet of seeds, and a small space on your windowsill or counter or inside a cabinet. Almost everyone has enough room where they live to grow plenty of mega-nutritious sprouts!

 “Sprouting is too expensive. I can’t afford it.” 

Yes, you can. Most of us have enough money to buy gas and groceries. Unless you are extremely poor, you do have enough money to grow sprouts. Of course, you can spend a lot or a little on seeds and supplies, but it takes only a little to get started, and the health benefits will save you money in the long run. Think less medicine, fewer trips to the doctor, and less time away from work. 

 “I’m healthy enough. I don’t need to sprout.” 

Good health is one of our greatest treasures. If we lose it, we’ve lost a lot. Eating sprouts regularly is one of the best ways to help prevent future sickness. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Especially as we age, protecting our health is a smart move. 

 “Sprouts probably don’t taste good. I’ll pass.” 

Many sprouts and microgreens taste terrific! They add zest to salads, sandwiches, wraps, or even waffle or pancake toppings. Add your favorite seasoning, and the taste of sprouts is often unnoticed. But the health benefits are still off the charts.

 “I don’t have a green thumb. I can’t do this.”

Yes, you can. A child can learn how to grow simple sprouts. My motto is: You can do it!

 “I’m not convinced that sprouts are so fabulous for my health. I’ll stick with my cheeseburger.”

To learn scientific facts proving how incredibly healthy sprouts and microgreens really are, visit the website of the International Sprout Growers Association. In their section on “Nutrition,” read what the experts have to say. 

 “I don’t know what to do or where to start.”

A simple step in the right direction is to visit SproutingwithSteve.com and watch a few free, short videos. If you decide to join my how-to-sprout video course, the price is very reasonable (about the cost of one trip to a grocery store). It’s just a one-time cost with no hidden gimmicks. Plus it has a 14-day money back guarantee. If you join, you’ll learn exactly what to do. I guarantee it!