Sprouting is a process in which seeds are soaked in water for a long time, leading to their germination. It causes the outer skin of the seeds to break and a young shoot to grow. Eating these raw sprouts is a very popular means of nutrition. However, according to Ayurveda, if not eaten properly, it may not be as effective as you may think. Ayurveda says that sprouts may be hard for digestion, especially if you have Vata Dosha. Therefore, eating them the right way is important to yield their health benefits.
According to Ayurveda, your Dosha imbalance determines how you should eat any food. Therefore, the best way to eat sprouts depends on your body constitution or Dosha imbalance.
Sprouts have an astringent taste or Kashya Rasa, which tends to aggravate Vata Dosha. Therefore, they are not usually recommended for people with Vata Dosha. However, if you still want to reap the benefits of sprouts, you may eat them after boiling and sautéing them with some rock salt, sesame oil and spices.
People who have Pitta Dosha can eat sprouts anytime during the day. They may eat it raw or as a salad.
People who have Kapha imbalance should eat sprouts after boiling and adding spices, such as black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom etc.
Sprouts offer many health benefits to the body. However, according to Ayurveda, you should not eat sprouts every day as they may be difficult to digest. In addition, Ayurveda also recommends eating sprouts only after cooking. You can also add spices to aid in digestion. If you want to include sprouts in your diet, the best way is to add them as a small part of your meal, rather than making them your whole meal.