Whenever you hear someone refer to “bean sprouts”, chances are, they are referring to mung bean sprouts. It makes sense that there are many different kinds of beans sprouts, as there are many different kinds of beans, but over time, the sprouts of the mung bean have just simply become the quintessential “bean sprout”.
These sprouts are most commonly used in Asian cooking, although the bean itself is indigenous to India and Pakistan. Even though it is definitely used for cooking in these countries, mung bean sprouts are usually always a main ingredient in any Chinese dish. This is most likely why they have simply become known as “bean sprouts”.
These sprouts are served many different ways, from raw, to slightly cooked, to completely cooked in many different kinds of stir-fry dishes. We all know that nutrients are lost the more a vegetable is cooked, so obviously raw sprouts offer the most nutrition, but because of the high amount of nutrients sprouts offer in general, it is always better to eat a vegetable as a sprout than as a “full grown” food.
Here are some of the benefits mung bean sprouts can offer you:
A� High in Vitamins A, B, C, and E
A� High in Amino Acids
A� High in Protein
A� High in Calcium, Potassium, Iron, and Magnesium
A� Low in Calories
A� Low in Cholesterol
A� High in Bio-Available Enzymes
A� High in Fiber
In addition, the fact that anyone who has a little bit of space and a little bit of time can grow their own sprouts, makes them an easy a quick source of food. The sprouts can be ready for consumption in as few as 3 days, and as long as they are refrigerated, they can be consumed up to 10 days after harvest.
Even if you’re not much of a chef, I’m sure you can find some kind of use for these yummy sprouts!…
Tag: benefits
The Benefits of Protein Supplements For Diabetes
The benefits of protein supplements for diabetes are well known in the medical world, although not universally agreed. What is universally agreed is that Type 2 diabetes is associated, to a large extent, with weight; the majority of those affected by the condition being overweight. However, this does not in any way suggest that only the obese or overweight are affected by diabetes.
There have been several studies that have suggested that diabetics can improve their conditions by increasing the amount of protein in their diets. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in October, 2003 reported that glycemic control was improved in subjects taking a diet high in protein for five weeks. Another article, published in Diabetes Care in 2002, found similar results. Even as recent as October, 2009, the results of studies were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Symposium by Dr. Astrup. The presentation indicated that weight loss by diabetics was more easily maintained by those taking a high protein diet.
Like any discussion on medical and supplement matters, not everybody agrees with this, but there is sufficient evidence available to confirm that the benefits of protein supplements for diabetes patients outweigh any disadvantages of a high protein diet. In addition the condition is more easily controlled by a protein rich diet.
Whether the protein should also be associated with carbohydrates or not is another matter. It would make sense if the high protein levels that result in a reduction in blood plasma glucose concentrations were associated with a lower carbohydrate intake. Carbs are converted to glucose by the body’s metabolism, and could act to aggravate the condition by creating a higher insulin demand.
In fact, the ‘Diabetes’ magazine reported in September, 2004 (vol 53, No 9) that a low carbohydrate with a high protein diet had a positive effect on glucose control in those with type 2 diabetes. The amount of glucose circulating in the blood of subjects undergoing the test was ‘dramatically reduced’, and this was hailed as a possible means of self-regulation of blood glucose levels by those with the condition.
All of these studies tend to indicate a high protein diet and protein supplements for diabetes patients is beneficial in controlling the levels of glucose in the blood or helping to maintain weight loss when dieting. Since both of these are known factors in Type 2 diabetes, then it makes sense for you to include more protein in your diet if you are diabetic. However, protein is available in many forms, and it is not always convenient to include more when cooking.
One of the simplest ways to achieve this is by using protein supplements with meals, particularly those supplements that contain high concentrations of protein in small volumes of supplement. That not only reduces the cost, but also the impact of the supplement on a normal diet. One might or might not combine that with a reduction in carbohydrates, but irrespective of that, it appears that protein supplements for diabetics have a beneficial effect on blood glucose levels.…