Earlier this week I told you about a compound found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts that may lead to advances in fighting peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. The next day I heard from HSI member Howard F. who had this to say:
"Don't you keep up? Sprouts are bad, not good. Bacteria from the growing medium." Howard is right - to an extent. In recent years there have been reported cases of people getting sick from bacteria growing in sprouts. These are isolated cases, however, and the reaction from sprout growers has been a marked increase in quality control. But to be on the safe side it wouldn't hurt to ask the manager of your local health food store about what measures are taken to insure that their sprouts are safe. If you still feel uncertain about the bacteria question, then you can avoid eating the sprouts raw. Cooking sprouts in a stir-fry dish, for instance, should kill off any bacteria that may be lingering. Or you can likely find sprouts in supplement form at your health food store or online.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute
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