Broccoli Sprouts Vs. alfalfa sprouts - what's the difference?

Broccoli sprouts and alfalfa sprouts look very similar, and it can be difficult to tell them apart by appearance alone. However, broccoli and alfalfa sprouts are very different in terms of flavor and nutritional content.

Sprouts come from many different plants, so what is the difference between broccoli and alfalfa sprouts? The best way to know which sprouts to try is to learn about their different flavors and benefits and go out and try them. There are many different sprouts, so narrowing down the selection can be quite difficult.

To make it easy, here is everything you need to know about broccoli and alfalfa sprouts and the differences between them.

broccoli sprouts

Broccoli sprouts are immature broccoli plants. The little sprouts start to form when the plant is about three days old, and then they are grown, and there you have broccoli sprouts to eat.

Broccoli sprouts are quickly being considered a superfood, thanks to their high nutrient content and the numerous health benefits that small sprouts have.

Broccoli sprouts have a slightly spicy and fresh flavor, similar to that of radishes. Broccoli sprouts don’t actually taste like broccoli. They are small, delicate green shoots with a small white stem, and the whole shoot can be eaten.

Broccoli sprouts may not have as many health benefits as broccoli itself, but they are still packed with nutrients and have benefits in other areas as well.

Broccoli sprouts contain the following per 115 g

• • 35 calories
  • 5 grams of carbohydrates
  • 2 grams of protein

• 4 grams of fiber
• 54 milligrams of vitamin C
• 90 micrograms of vitamin A
• 78 milligrams of calcium
• 720 micrograms of iron

For the low calories in broccoli sprouts, they pack a punch with such a high vitamin and mineral content.

Broccoli sprouts are high in sulforaphane, making them stand out among other green vegetables, and they contain nearly 100 times more sulforaphane than adult broccoli.

The reason for this importance is that sulforaphane helps lower bad cholesterol , which in turn helps reduce the risk of cancer and helps increase longevity.

Along with sulforaphane and other nutrients in broccoli sprouts, benefits include

• Boost the immune system by promoting natural killer cells.
• Sulforaphane has antiviral qualities, causing symptoms to be reduced and recovery faster from common viruses.
• Broccoli sprouts are loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• The compounds in broccoli sprouts may help protect the skin from UV damage.
• Sulforaphane can help improve digestive problems thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Knowing that you are aware of the powerful health benefits of broccoli sprouts, it would be a good idea to have some ideas on how to eat them.

Smoothie - Broccoli sprouts can be mixed into a fruit or vegetable smoothie, which is especially great for those who don’t like the taste, or are looking for an easy way to boost their morning smoothies.

Salad - Toss a few broccoli sprouts on top of a green salad for the ultimate in health food, as they add powerful, spicy flavor to an otherwise boring salad.

Sandwiches and Wraps - Broccoli sprouts add a great crunch to sandwiches or wraps.

Easy - Broccoli sprouts can be eaten plain for a quick and nutritious snack.

Stir -Fry - Add a few raw broccoli sprouts to a cooked stir-fry.

With so many health and nutritional benefits packed into a small handful of sprouts, there’s no reason not to include them in your diet.

alfalfa sprouts

Alfalfa sprouts are more like lentils in appearance and have a white shoot with yellow and dark green leaves. Alfalfa sprouts are too delicate to cook and should be eaten raw.

These sprouts come from a germinated alfalfa seed and are collected when the sprout appears before the plant matures.

They have a mild nutty flavor and are quite crunchy. Alfalfa sprouts are packed with different vitamins and minerals and are very low in calories.

Being versatile, cheap, and easy to find, alfalfa sprouts can be easily added to your diet at home in a variety of ways.

Alfalfa sprouts have many more health benefits than the seeds, as the sprouting process favors the production of more enzymes, and the sprouts carry more vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

A 100 g serving of alfalfa sprouts contains

• 23 calories
• 2.1 grams of carbohydrates
• 3.99 grams of protein
• 0.69 grams of fat
• 1.9 grams of fiber
• 30.5 micrograms of vitamin K
• 8.2 milligrams of vitamin C
• 36 micrograms of folate
• 0.2 milligrams of manganese
• 70 milligrams of phosphorus
• 1 milligram of iron
• 0.2 milligrams of copper

For such a small number of sprouts that contain such a large content of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, it is not surprising that alfalfa sprouts have many health benefits, including

• Reduced risk of breast cancer. Alfalfa sprouts contain isoflavones and phytoestrogens , which mimic estrogen. This helps reduce the effects and symptoms of breast cancer.
• They minimize the symptoms of menopause and menstruation by containing a high level of vitamin K and phytoestrogens. Vitamin K helps blood clot, thus helping to decrease excessive bleeding.
• It prevents osteoporosis by having a high content of vitamin K, which helps to use calcium in the body, strengthening and building bones. The manganese in alfalfa sprouts also helps prevent osteoporosis and inflammation.
• By lowering blood glucose levels, alfalfa sprouts help lower blood sugar levels.
• Anti-aging benefits thanks to its high content of antioxidants , which protect cells from the damage that free radicals can cause. This also helps prevent illness and disease.
• Fighting cholesterol, alfalfa sprouts are an antihyperlipoidemia, reducing lipid levels in the blood, reducing coronary diseases.
• It is a great source of vitamin C , as alfalfa sprouts are one of the main containers of vitamin C, which is essential for many different bodily functions.

Alfalfa sprouts should not be cooked, and are best eaten raw . They are very delicate sprouts, and cooking could break them down and destroy their nutritional content. For this reason, alfalfa sprouts should be used raw in wraps or sandwiches, sprinkled over cooked stir-fries, or on top of salads.

Alfalfa sprouts, which are very effective in many ways, are not only delicious, but are incredibly beneficial to include in your daily diet.

Which is the best?

There’s no obvious winner between alfalfa and broccoli sprouts, as both pack a fair amount of nutritional content, with much-needed vitamins and minerals that can help prevent disease and improve daily bodily functions.

Including both alfalfa and broccoli sprouts in your diet would be great, depending on which flavor you prefer or which is easier to get around you.

There are many different ways to use sprouts each day, from mixing them into your morning smoothies, adding them to your sandwiches and wraps, sprinkling them over stir-fries or salads, or even eating them on their own as a healthy snack throughout the day, either sprouts It will be great for your daily nutritional needs.

Related questions

How many broccoli sprouts should you consume daily?

It is recommended to consume 100 grams, which is approximately half a cup of broccoli sprouts a day. This can be eaten all at once or spread out over different meals, such as smoothies, salads, and wraps.

This is a good amount to get enough nutrients and vitamins for the day, and eating this amount daily will have great benefits for your overall health.

How are sprouts eaten safely?

Since sprouts are harvested from the ground, it’s a good idea to know how to eat them safely. You must remember to wash your hands after handling raw sprouts.

You will need to rinse the sprouts under the tap before eating them to remove any debris and any bacteria on the sprouts. Cooking the sprouts helps reduce the risk of food poisoning , as the heat helps kill any bacteria left behind after washing the sprouts.

Since alfalfa sprouts cannot be cooked, they are more at risk of containing bacteria such as E. coli, which could cause food poisoning, so they should be washed thoroughly before eating.

Can sprouts be eaten raw?

Sprouts can be eaten raw, and many can only be eaten raw, as they are too delicate to cook. You should make sure to wash the sprouts before eating them and store them in a hygienic container in the fridge so they stay fresh for as long as possible.

Broccoli sprouts vs. alfalfa sprouts

The best way to find out the difference between alfalfa sprouts and broccoli sprouts is to learn about their different nutritional contents and understand their different flavors and uses . From this, you can decide which one would be best to include in your diet for that extra healthy boost that everyone can benefit from.

With so many ways to include these powerhouse sprouts in your diet, there’s no reason you shouldn’t buy a batch to keep in the fridge.