Sprouted wheat is considered very healthy and is popular among devotees of a healthy diet. By the way, this product was used to improve the functioning of the body in the time of Ancient Russia. It is proved that germinated wheat grains contain a huge amount of valuable minerals and vitamins, as well as other, no less useful, components.
Today, adherents of a healthy lifestyle actively include this product in their diet. Of course, they are interested in additional questions. What are the properties of sprouted wheat? In what cases can it help? Are there any contraindications? How to sprout grains? Can I add them to some dishes? Answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.
Product Features
In fact, the idea of healing the body using sprouted grains is not new - this product was widely used by ancient civilizations to improve the body, detoxify and rejuvenate. And this is quite natural, because the seeds contain a huge amount of nutrients. The composition of sprouted wheat is as follows:
- proteins (approximately 26% of the total weight of the product);
- fats (about 10%);
- carbohydrates (34%)
- fiber (this carbohydrate is the only mechanical stimulator of intestinal motility, its amount in germinated grains is 17%);
- B vitamins, in particular pyridoxine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamine, folic acid;
- ascorbic acid, vitamins E and A;
- macrocells, including phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium;
- trace elements, in particular zinc, iron, selenium, copper, manganese;
- essential amino acids (phenylalanine, leucine, arginine, valine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, histidine);
- essential amino acids, including aspartic acid, serine, tyrosine, glycine, cysteine, alanine;
- omega fatty acids, as well as unsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic, linolenic, stearic, palmitic, oleic.
Despite such a rich and saturated composition, the calorie content of the product is low - in 100 g there are only 198 kcal. By the way, grains with sprouts of 1-3 mm are considered the most valuable and useful.
Sprouted wheat: application and beneficial properties
In fact, the product has a lot of useful properties and is suitable for almost all occasions.
- Thanks to the thiamine content, the sprouted grains have a beneficial effect on energy metabolism and improve the functioning of the nervous system, heart and blood vessels.
- Vitamin B5 normalizes the adrenal cortex, improves hemoglobin synthesis, and has a positive effect on cholesterol metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 takes part in the formation of red blood cells, ensures the normal functioning of the nervous system, participates in metabolic processes.
- It is proved that the regular use of grains improves blood circulation in the brain, increases mental abilities, has a positive effect on memory.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) strengthens the body's defenses, increases resistance to viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
- Vitamin E (its content in sprouted grains is high) is a powerful antioxidant. It protects cells from the effects of dangerous free radicals, slows down the aging process. In addition, this biologically active substance prevents the formation of blood clots. It is also called the "vitamin of reproduction," since it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the male and female reproductive systems.
- Calcium provides normalization of the bone structure, and also improves the activity of secretory cells.
- Magnesium positively affects the growth and functioning of muscles, prevents the development of muscle cramps.
- Zinc improves memory, helps to normalize the functioning of the nervous system, to cope with irritability.
- Iron, which is also present in wheat seeds, is an integral component of hemoglobin and myoglobin.
- Potassium normalizes the balance of electrolytes, eliminates problems with blood pressure, positively affects the functioning of the myocardium.
- Due to its high fiber content, this product improves the digestive system. In addition, the fibers help to quickly bind and remove toxins, radionuclides from the body. It is proved that the regular use of sprouts eliminates metabolic disorders, prevents the development of obesity, improves the absorption of food in the intestine.
- Sprouted wheat is also used in oncology. It is believed that the use of the product promotes the resorption of fibroids and fibroids, provides healthy cells with the necessary protection. Chlorophyll, which is present in sprouts, is an antimutagen. Naturally, sprouts are not a panacea - you can not refuse drug therapy for cancer.
- Sprouted wheat has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, accelerates the regeneration process, promotes the healing of wounds and erosion.
- Grains have mild diuretic properties, so they help get rid of edema.
- Many people note that already 1-2 months after the start of seed consumption, the condition of the skin improves (it becomes more elastic and clean), nails (nail plates become stronger) and hair (hair loss slows down, curls acquire a healthy shine and strength).
- Such therapy increases the body's stamina, makes it less sensitive to the effects of low temperatures and lower oxygen levels.
Sprouted wheat: how to cook?
You already know what properties this product has. But how to cook it right? Germination wheat is sold in almost any store. We prepare a similar food supplement according to the following scheme.
- You will need approximately 80-100 g of grains. Rinse them thoroughly under running water. If you notice unripe or damaged seeds, then you need to throw them away.
- Now the washed grains are laid out on the bottom of the china. The thickness of the seed layer should not exceed 2-3 cm.
- Pour wheat with clean cold water. Water should cover the mixture of grains, but only slightly (the top layer of seeds should only touch the surface of the water).
- Grains are covered with gauze. They need to be provided with air, moisture and heat. The optimum temperature for germination is 22 degrees Celsius.
Many people are interested in how many days wheat sprouts. It largely depends on the quality of the seeds and the conditions you create. As a rule, during the first 24-30 hours, the first small, white shoots appear from the grains. After another 1-2 days, the sprouts increase to 2-3 mm. After that, they need to be washed again. Sprouts are now ready for use. Do not sprout too much wheat at a time, as the seeds deteriorate quickly, and they must be consumed fresh.
Another way to cook
Grains can be germinated in a different way (it sometimes takes much less time). In the evening, two tablespoons of grains need to be thoroughly washed and filled with clean water. By the way, wheat will be ideal for germinating hard varieties.
In the morning, drain the water, rinse the grain again and again drain the excess liquid. The bottom of the jar must be covered with gauze and fixed with an elastic band. Now the glass container (the glass will fit) must be placed upside down at an angle of 45 degrees. Soaked grains are evenly distributed on the walls of the can, and a gauze dressing will hold them inside. After a few hours, the first sprouts will appear. After this, the seeds can be removed, rinsed - the product is ready for use.
It is worth noting that a similar scheme can be used to germinate almost any grain.
How to use the product?
Sprouted wheat treatment is becoming more and more popular today. This product saturates the body with vitamins and copes with a lot of problems. Nevertheless, the grains must be correctly taken - the only way to count on positive results.
- Sprouted wheat grains should not be processed thermally, as this leads to the loss of most of the nutrients and nutrients.
- The daily amount is a quarter or half a tablespoon. In some cases, this number can be increased to 60-70 g.
- Experts recommend gradually increasing the amount of product. For example, you can start with a few grains, gradually increasing the "dose" to half a tablespoon.
- Sprouted wheat should be chewed carefully, not swallowed. Digestive system is much easier to extract nutrients from a shredded product.
- If, for one reason or another, a person cannot chew grains (this is important when it comes to older people), then the seedlings can be passed through a meat grinder or chopped in a blender.
- By the way, you can add a glass of water to the crushed grains, stir, and then strain. You get the so-called wheat milk, which is also very useful.
- Today, people increasingly use not grains, but juice from sprouts, which is squeezed using a special device. The daily dose in this case is 25-30 ml. If a person has a pronounced form of vitamin deficiency, then the amount of fluid can be slightly increased. It is proved that 30 ml of juice in terms of vitamins and other useful substances corresponds to a kilogram of fruit.
Reviews indicate that sprouted wheat has a specific, but quite pleasant taste. By the way, a single dose of such a “medicine” is not enough to feel at least some improvement. The course of home therapy should last about 2-3 months. People who have already managed to try such a treatment on themselves, say that this product really helps to establish the digestive tract, eliminate hypovitaminosis, improve the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. The regular use of grains has a beneficial effect on all organ systems.
Are there any contraindications? Possible harm from wheat
You already know why sprouted wheat is so popular. The benefits of regular use are obvious. Nevertheless, far from all people can enter the grain in the diet.
- This product is not recommended to be added to the menu of children under the age of twelve.
- The list of contraindications includes intolerance or hypersensitivity to gluten (patients with this diagnosis should not eat any cereals).
- Despite the beneficial properties of sprouted wheat, it should not be eaten by people with peptic ulcer and other chronic inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract, especially when it comes to the stage of exacerbation.
- Also, the product is contraindicated for people who have recently undergone surgery on the organs of the abdominal or chest cavity. In such cases, you must first undergo a full rehabilitation course.
According to statistics, people often complain of increased gas formation, weakness, diarrhea of varying severity. But, as a rule, these symptoms appear only at the beginning of treatment - after a few days, the digestive system adapts to the grains. The minor inconvenience of taking raw wheat can not be compared with the huge benefits of this product for the body.
When is it better to eat wheat?
You already know how sprouted wheat is useful, how to use the product. However, experts do not recommend eating grains in the evening. The fact is that this product activates the work of almost the entire body, so you may have trouble sleeping. The ideal time to receive sprouted grains is during or a few hours after lunch.
Tasty recipe: wheat with nuts and honey
You already know what sprouted wheat is. The benefits of it are invaluable. Grains can be eaten in pure form, grind them, squeeze juice, add to cocktails. But the same product is used to prepare tasty and healthy dishes. To prepare a light lunch, you will need:
- 2 tablespoons of wheat germ;
- a tablespoon of walnuts (first they need to be slightly fried and chopped);
- a teaspoon of honey.
Wheat sprouts must be thoroughly washed with water, and then passed through a meat grinder (you can grind in a blender). Mix the product with honey and nuts. A nutritious vitamin breakfast is ready. This dish will help you get the daily amount of nutrients.
Original salad: how to make?
There are other recipes that involve the use of germinated wheat. Fruit salad is popular. To prepare it, you need to get these products:
- kiwi of medium size;
- banana;
- three tablespoons of pomegranate seeds;
- two tablespoons of wheat grains (if desired, you can add sunflower sprouts);
- half a small lemon;
- two tablespoons of honey (you need to take a natural product).
Cooking a salad is easy. First, the sprouts need to be washed and chopped using a blender or meat grinder. Grate the cheese on a fine grater. Peel and cut the fruit into small cubes. All the ingredients must be mixed, seasoned with lemon juice and honey (if honey is too thick, you can slightly warm it in a water bath). A delicious salad is ready to eat. It remains only to sprinkle it with grains of pomegranate on top. This dish is ideal for breakfast or lunch. Dessert, by the way, contains just a huge amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Moreover, this dish helps to saturate for a long time.
Wheat oil
If sprouted wheat for one reason or another is not suitable for you, then you can introduce wheat germ oil into the diet. This product, by the way, can be purchased at almost any pharmacy.
Oil can be consumed in its pure form (a teaspoon per day) or added to various dishes, used as salad dressing. It is proved that the regular use of this product improves performance, increases physical and mental endurance. Oil is recommended for people whose activities are associated with intense physical exertion. The product helps to cope with diseases of the heart and blood vessels, establish the exchange of carbohydrates and fats, prevents the development of obesity and related problems.
By the way, it is believed that wheat grain oil is safer and suitable for older people who are not able to chew raw cereals well. It is also believed that it is much less likely to cause allergic reactions and disorders of the digestive system.
Wheat and Slimming
Sprouted wheat is also widely used to combat overweight. The fact is that this product is not too high in calories. A teaspoon of grains provides a lasting feeling of fullness. In addition, wheat provides the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals on the background of strict diets, preventing the development of vitamin deficiencies and improving human well-being. Experts say that sprouted wheat grains perfectly complement protein diets.