I’m sure everyone has tried broccoli in their life and either love or hate it.  It is a staple veggie that has many benefits, vitamins, and fiber.  Lesser known is that broccoli contains a compound call glucoraphanin, which is used to protect the plant from being eaten by insects.  Fully grown broccoli has a much lower amount of glucoraphanin than broccoli sprouts (about 100 times less), which as a sprout is much younger and vulnerable to insects eating them.  When consumed our bodies turn the glucoraphanin into sulforaphane.  Scientist have found that sulforaphane is extremely beneficial to humans.  Sulforaphane has been found to be highly anti-cancerous and highly anti-inflammatory.  Sulforaphane activates the NRF2 cellular pathway, when activated it helps to slow cellular and DNA damage.  It also helps to inactivate and rid our bodies of harmful carcinogens.  Moreover, it can boost our immune responses and reduce oxidative stress (the cause of many brain diseases).  The best part is that instead of buying these broccoli sprouts in the store or purchasing a powder or tablet, you can grown them in your home with a much lower cost and you don’t need much space!

Another huge benefit that Dr. Rhonda Patrick found was that children with autism have experienced raised levels of social and behavioral responsiveness.  We know that any added benefit to children on the autism spectrum can be highly beneficial to their development.  Dr. Patrick also added that organic mustard seed powder combined with the broccoli spouts increases the sulforaphane potency by four times.  These findings are continuing to come out and we will update as studies progress.

To get started growing broccoli sprouts at home you will need a few items to get started.  The first is Kitchen Crop VKP1200 Seed Sprouter, this is the tower we recommend you use to grow your sprouts but any sprouting tower will work.  It has four tiers, so you can grown plenty for yourself or other family members or you can grow other micro-greens on the other tiers at the same time.  The next thing you will need is organic broccoli sprout seeds, we recommend Nature Jims Certified Organic Broccoli Sprout Seeds.  These are organic seeds that come from a reputable company, ensuring you will get a high amount of glucoraphanin and as pure as possible seeds without chemicals.  Alternatively, if you prefer glass containers you can use these mason jars, just remember to get a strainer top that fits the jars these Stainless Steel Sprouting Lids will work.  To clean the seeds before growing you will need some dish soap and organic apple cider vinegar.

Ok, now that you have the needed materials let’s get started!  The first step is to rinse and disinfect the seeds, to do this fill a mason jar or container with  water, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a drop of dish soap.  Let this mix sit for 10 minutes, then mix in about 3 to 7 tablespoons of broccoli sprout seeds, stir, and let them sit another 10 minutes.  Using a fine strainer drain out the water and re-rinse about 10 times.  Then pour the seeds into the tower tray and fill with water, let them sit at room temperature for about 8 hours.  After the 8 hours, drain the water very well.  leave the sprouts in the trays and continue to rinse the sprouts twice (x 2) a day for 2-3 days, draining the water well after every rinse.  Harvesting the seeds on the second or third day will ensure you get a optimal amount of glucoraphanin and reduce any potential bacterial growth.  Now you can take your sprouts eat them, refrigerate them, or put them into the freezer.  They are ready at this point and you can start your next batch.  A side note is that if you freeze the broccoli sprouts you will have to consume them before they thaw out, which is most effectively done by mixing it in a smoothie, this can also help mask the taste for those that don’t enjoy it.  Fresh broccoli sprouts can be mixed in a salad or eaten by themselves if you prefer, don’t forget the organic mustard seed powder for its huge added benefits!

Dr. Patrick suggest consuming about 100g – 150g of sprouts 3 to 4 times a week, this is what the clinical trails studies used.  We wish you health and enjoyment sprouting, please let us know any questions you have or if you are reaping the powerful benefits of growing broccoli sprouts and sulforaphane.  Please see our complete suggested links list below.

  Sprouting tower, BPA-free

   Organic broccoli seeds

  Organic mustard seed powder

 Organic apple cider vinegar

  Wide mouth glass mason jars

  Stainless Steel wide mouth mason jar sprouting lids