Brussels sprouts (2024)

FAQs

What's the deal with Brussels sprouts? ›

As mentioned earlier, Brussels sprouts are high in antioxidants, which can help neutralize the free radicals that can promote inflammation ( 5 , 6). A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts may reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of pro-inflammatory diseases.

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? Go for it. “If you enjoy sprouts and can tolerate them, absolutely! They're lower in calories and contain a myriad of important nutrients” says Snyder.

Roasting Brussels sprouts caramelizes their natural sugar and mellows out bitter notes, providing rich flavor and a crispier texture. Brussels sprouts are a good source of fiber and vitamins C and K, notes the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

While broccoli may have a higher count of calories, fat, and carbs, it is richer in calcium, iron, and pantothenic acid (a B vitamin that does wonders for healthy hair), and has a bit more potassium. Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, are lower in sodium.

There are also nutritional differences - cabbage has fewer calories than Brussels sprouts, but also fewer nutrients, with sprouts containing higher concentrations of vitamins A and C, Folic Acid, Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorus.

Brussels sprouts are versatile and can be enjoyed both raw and cooked. Raw Brussels sprouts are crunchy and slightly bitter, while cooking softens their texture and mellows their flavor. Roasting or sautéing Brussels sprouts caramelizes their natural sugars, resulting in a delicious and nutritious side dish.

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

Cruciferous vegetables

This cruciferous vegetable — along with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and mustard greens — are good for your liver. They are a source of fiber, which supports liver health. Plus, they contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that may help prevent liver cancer.

Side Effects of Brussels Sprouts:

Although a healthy vegetable, consuming too many Brussels sprouts can be unsuitable for people on anticoagulants since it contains vitamin K, which results in blood clotting. Another issue with consuming Brussels sprouts excessively is that it can lead to gas and bloating.

Eating a lot of Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies may help protect against cancers of the stomach, lungs, kidney, breast, bladder, and prostate. Crunchy veggies like Brussels sprouts may also help you stave off other health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes.

Why do you soak Brussels sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

Brussels sprouts are especially rich in a plant compound, called kaempferol. This antioxidant has been studied for its many health-promoting properties, including the benefits it has for heart health.

You can prepare Brussels sprouts by sautéing them with garlic and olive oil or serving them with lean protein and whole grains. 3 Just keep in mind that Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and gas if you eat too many.

They are a very good source of numerous nutrients including folate, manganese, vitamin B6, dietary fiber, choline, copper, vitamin B1, potassium, phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids. Add the rich taste from caramelized sprouts and you have a winner.

Whereas cooked leafy and cruciferous vegetables such as kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower take approximately 40-50 minutes to digest. Root vegetables like turnips, beetroot, sweet potatoes, radishes and carrot digest in an hour.

Are Brussels Sprouts Just Baby Cabbages? Sorry to burst a Barbie-sized bubble, but no, these sprouts are not actually baby cabbages. However, they are in the same family, the Brassica, or cruciferous family. Other members include kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, turnips, mustard, and bok choy.

The health benefits of brussels sprouts include:

Contain anti-cancer compounds. May support heart health. May support gut health. May reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes.

But as spring dawns and the weather warms, Hewitt said it is more difficult to grow organic brussels sprouts and supplies decline. “There are very few growers once we hit May,” he said. For the most part, suppliers were very aggressive on pricing organic brussels sprouts during the first quarter of 2022, Hewitt said.

About 30 years ago, a Dutch scientist identified the chemicals that made brussels sprouts bitter. He selected seed varieties with lower levels of the bitter chemicals and bred new high-yielding varieties that tasted less bitter.