Doctors recommend consuming blanched bean sprouts or cooked sprouts to avoid food poisoning and enhance digestion.
Dr. Eileen Canday, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, India, states that bean sprouts are rich in vitamins and minerals.
According to Dr. Canday, bean sprouts are high in fiber, which helps reduce blood sugar levels after meals. Research indicates that they may also help increase good cholesterol, thereby enhancing cardiovascular health and maintaining stable blood pressure.
Bean sprouts help enhance cardiovascular health and maintain stable blood pressure.
In agreement, herbalist Bui Duc Sang from the Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association notes that bean sprouts are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, minerals, amino acids, proteins, and phytochemicals.
“The primary benefits of bean sprouts are their digestibility, detoxifying properties, and ability to treat various ailments,” Mr. Sang said, adding that the plant-based fats in bean sprouts can help treat excess cholesterol levels, making them suitable for individuals with cardiovascular diseases or those on weight loss diets.
Additionally, the rich vitamin content in bean sprouts can aid in detoxification, clear heat, reduce thirst, promote urination, and alleviate bloating, making them beneficial after working outdoors in hot weather.
Doctors advise everyone to consume blanched bean sprouts, as high temperatures can kill bacteria such as Salmonella and E. Coli that may be present due to growing and transportation processes.
Furthermore, cooking bean sprouts before consumption will enhance digestibility. In particular, for individuals with sensitive intestines, eating raw sprouts may cause bloating or diarrhea.
“Cooking bean sprouts can help prevent food poisoning and improve digestion. However, exposure to heat may also lead to the loss of some nutrients, such as vitamin C,” Dr. Canday informed.
Dr. Canday also advises pregnant women, children, and the elderly to be more cautious when consuming raw bean sprouts. The reason is that symptoms of food poisoning, such as vomiting and diarrhea caused by raw sprouts, can lead to significant health issues in these groups.
