A leading doctor has shared that one particular food, which can be easily grown at home, is up to 100 times more potent in combating cancer. Dr Will Bulsiewicz, a gastroenterologist and best-selling author, shared this insight on the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast, highlighting the extraordinary anti-cancer properties of the food.

What’s more, this superfood doesn’t require a garden to grow and is incredibly cost-effective. During his appearance on the podcast, Dr Bulsiewicz explained the process of sprouting: “Sprouting is unlocking nature’s code for germination, which is where the seed turns into a plant.

“We unlock it with soaking, the seed opens up and out comes this shoot, this plant. And with it you have massive, dramatic growth of fibre, of protein… vitamins, you have a microbiome of that plant.

“And you also get phytochemicals [chemical compounds found in plants that can have health benefits for humans].

“An example of this is broccoli sprouts, which are known to contain 50-100 times greater density of sulforaphane [than normal broccoli], which is the cancer-fighting phytochemical.

“So if you want to get more of this sulforaphane, the absolute best way to get this is by sprouting broccoli seeds.”

The remarkable cancer-combating capabilities of sulforaphane were put to the test in a clinical trial published in 2019.

In this study, men with prostate cancer consumed broccoli soup weekly for an entire year, reports Surrey Live.

A subset of these men had soup enriched with higher levels of glucoraphin (which the body converts into sulforaphane), and subsequent analysis of their cancer cells was conducted.

The study found that the cancer “seemed to grow more in the men who had regular broccoli soup” compared to those who consumed soup with extra high levels of glucoraphanin.

The researchers concluded that broccoli soup with additional glucoraphanin “did affect cell changes and may help stop prostate cancer growing”.

They also recommended further trials to gather more information.

How to sprout foods at home

Sprouting foods at home is a very easy. Simply add a cup or so of your chosen seeds (lentils can also be used) to a jar, fill it with water and let them soak overnight.

A perforated lid or a cloth such as a tea towel is needed to cover the jar’s opening.

The following day, rinse your seeds or lentils, then place them at an angle on a draining board to allow them to drain. Rinse them once daily for a few days and they will begin to sprout.

The best sprouts to eat

The experts at Country Life Food have shared a list of the top sprouted foods that you can grow today and add to your diet.

These include:

• Broccoli sprouts
• Chickpea sprouts
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Kale sprouts
• Green pea sprouts
• Mung bean sprouts
• Beetroot sprouts

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