Can you eat sprouted broad beans?

Can you eat sprouted broad beans? Yes, you certainly can. They have even larger amounts of the dopamine precursor; all those with tremors should be interested.

Sprouting in general has many proven benefits; and some risks.

Sprouting releases greater amounts of certain vitamins, folate and K especially; and minerals like magnesium and phosphorus.

In particular sprouting broad beans increases the available L-Dopa up to twenty times^[1].

How long do broad beans take to sprout?

1. Take say 20 dried broad bean seeds and place them in a clean bottle; you may want to sterilise it first.
   
2. Place it in the fridge for a few days to make them think it's winter.
   
3. Cover them with clean cold, boiled water overnight.
   
4. Cover the mouth of the bottle with a clean piece of gauze; secure with a rubber band.
5. Invert the bottle and allow the bottle to drain. Keep in a cool dark place.
6. Every day add water, rinse the beans and again drain.
   
7. After about five days the beans will begin to sprout.
8. You can plant them; or eat them.
   

Cook the beans

It is a contentious point but it's safest to cook your sprouted broad beans. They contain an "antinutrient" called a trypsin inhibitor that may cause pancreatitis.

Sprouted broad bean breakfast

Sprouted broad beans make an excellent breakfast, particularly for those suffering from tremors of any sort but also for anyone wanting to eat more vegetable protein.

This sprouted broad bean breakfast is unambiguously based on the famous Eggs Florentine; so by all means include a few leaves of spinach or kale for extra folate, magnesium and fibre.

Serve if desired on a slice of buttered wholegrain toast. If you like it sloshy add rather more water.

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease is caused by the death of the dopaminergic cells in a nucleus in the brain known as the Substantia Nigra. It causes rigidity, a tremor and an awkward gait known as festination; and mental deterioration.

• Of tremors and things
  

It is a well established fact that Levodopa, either from medication or from broad beans can cross the blood-brain barrier supplying the body with an exogenous source of the neurotransmitter.

It is estimated that about two-thirds of Parkinson's patients could survive just on broad beans; in fact the slow release dopamine gives a much smoother effect with none of the highs and lows experienced by those on the drug.

Sprouted broad beans also supply the body with large amounts of other anti-inflammatory compounds including flavonoids and rutin^[2]. They also protect the eyes against macular degeneration.

The problem

Most people enjoy green beans but dried legumes with much less enthusiasm; they tend to be starchy, give a lot of gas and generally are not pleasant. They also contain large amounts of anti-nutrients that inhibit absorption of important minerals.

However green broad beans are only seasonally available and are not really a suitable treatment for those suffering from Parkinson's Disease. They can be frozen which is a good option.

• Freezing broad beans

Sprouted broad beans have two big advantages; twenty times the L-dopa and they are readily available year round to those who are willing to grow them. They are not generally to be found in grocery stores.

They are also known in many countries as fava beans.

• How to plant broad beans
  

Diabetics

Legumes in general have a moderate carb content, albeit mostly of the resistant starch kind; little is digested in the small intestine that would otherwise produce a blood glucose surge.

However there is an unfortunate common practice of skinning broad beans; removal of the fibrous coating which then makes them highly glycaemic.

• Influence of carbohydrate consumption on pancreatic function
  

However sprouts in general help diabetics control their blood sugar levels. They have lower levels of carb, having been used in the growth of the seed; and contain large amounts of fibre that slows gastric emptying and stimulates the production of the incretin hormones that give satiety.

• Feeling of fullness after eating
  

Fibre

Broad beans have a particularly large amount of fibre; only 5% of people enjoying typical grocery store food are getting the recommended daily amount of at least 30 grams. Constipation and the attendant serious bowel conditions are increasing in leaps and bounds, particularly colo-rectal cancer in young people.

That fibre is not a net starch; it is not digested in the small intestine. It keeps the friendly flora in the gut happy.

• What is starch in food?
  

Dried broad beans are particularly gassy but once sprouted this problem is greatly reduced; there is little discomfort from bloating.

The answer to the question, can you eat sprouted broad beans is an emphatic yes; the happy tum is a great blessing.

Cholesterol

There are numerous studies showing that sprouts in general lower triglycerides and total cholesterol, especially the "bad" fraction.

Sprouted broad beans would make an excellent contribution to the cholesterol credit conundrum; you could then have your butter and eat it.

• Foods that lower cholesterol
  

Sprout them yourself

Can you eat sprouted broad beans? Yes, but you will have to do it yourself and you may also have to grow them; I have never seen them on the shelf of any grocery store, delicatessen or health food shop.

In any case there are risks of contamination with purchased sprouts. Whilst very young green broad beans are often eaten raw, it's best to cook these sprouts to deactivate any of the pancreatic digestive enzymes.

It is significant that in all five of the Blue Zone countries where the norm is to live to a vibrant, healthy ninety and ten times as many reach 100, they grow and eat broad beans.

• Blue Zone longevity
  

The happy hormone

Dopamine has been well named the happy hormone; it contributes to so many important functions in the body. The signs and symptoms of a deficiency are miserable.

I would go so far as to suggest that everyone should consider growing and sprouting broad beans. It's not difficult; they yield a prolific amount of healthy protein, vitamins and minerals over and above the L-dopa.

In fact they are the only legume reputed to contain all the essential amino acids. It would be dull but you could survive with no meat, dairy or poultry.

Vegans

Vegans in particular have to be very careful to balance their protein sources to ensure that they get all the essential amino acids; growing broad beans would take the pressure off them.

• Broad bean tips
  

Add peppers to everything

New cells in our bodies are being formed and old ones are dying every day. This normal process is called apoptosis; malignant tumours find a way to get around it and just keep on growing. 

A phytonutrient called capsaicin is able to restore this normal apoptosis^[3]; and stop these cancerous cells that just keep on growing. So add the pepper family daily to all your savoury dishes.

Peppadews are our favourite; they are spicy but not too hot.

Can you eat sprouted broad beans? Yes, of course but whilst they have an interesting mild nutty flavour they need some help. So add peppers, garlic and other favourite spices to liven them up.

• Growing peppadews
  

Can you eat sprouted broad beans?

Yes you can certainly eat sprouted broad beans; you'll grow to love them.

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