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Sprouts are by far the easiest thing to grow in your home or apartment. Sprouts are so easy to grow, that they don't even require any light and will probably grow even if you don't want them to. They are like Tribbles that way. Sprouts are nutritious and yummy and fit well into a vegan, locavore or vegetarian diet.
Broccoli sprouts are probably a bit more difficult to grow than regular, everyday sprouts, but they are well worth it. John Hopkins Medical Center has found that broccoli sprouts are chocked full of sulforaphane, an antioxidant that can reduce the risk of cancer and contributes to the body's cancer-fighting resources.
John Hopkins has gone on to discover that broccoli sprouts can reduce the swelling and redness from sun damage by nearly 40%.
The researchers say an extract from newly sprouted broccoli seeds reduced skin redness (erythema) and damage by more than one-third compared with untreated skin and the extract has already been shown to help skin cells fight UV damage in mice?.They found that the highest doses of the extract reduced redness and swelling by an average of 37 percent and the effect was long-lasting.
A lot more studies have to be done before anyone can declare broccoli to be a miracle drug, but it does look like it promotes health and reduces swelling.
The next time you mix up a facial mask full of organic goodness, put some fresh, ground-up broccoli sprouts in the batch. Your skin will thank you.
