| Q: |
Where can I buy BroccoSprouts? |
| A: |
BroccoSprouts are available in the fresh produce section of many
local area grocery and specialty stores, depending upon your
areaof the country. Check the map or call our toll-free line
(1-877-747-1277) and we will be happy to direct you to a store
in your area.
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| Q: |
What if my store doesn't have BroccoSprouts? |
| A: |
Ask the produce manager to get them. He or she can call us
at 1-877-747-1277 and we will direct the produce manager to the
grower in your area.
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| Q: |
Do I have to wash them? |
| A: |
Although only water and light are used in the growing
process for BroccoSprouts, it is still a good idea to rinse all
fresh produce. Many people find it effective to use a strainer,
some simply rinse and squeeze in a paper towel.
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| Q: |
How long will BroccoSprouts stay fresh? |
| A: |
If stored sealed and refrigerated, BroccoSprouts have a
shelf life of at least 2 weeks. If you detect an unpleasant
odor upon opening the box, the sprouts should be thrown out.
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| Q: |
Can they be frozen? |
| A: |
Freezing BroccoSprouts will not hurt the antioxidant potential of the
sprouts at all. Unfortunately, when the sprouts are thawed they become
quite mushy and soft. If you plan to use the sprouts in a soup or other
dish where this will not be a factor, then freezing will be fine. If
you desire a fresh, crunchy sprout, they are best kept in the
refrigerator. As long as the sprouts are kept refrigerated they should
stay fresh for several weeks.
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| Q: |
Are BroccoSprouts different from other broccoli sprouts? |
| A: |
Yes. Not all broccoli sprouts are alike.
Dr. Paul Talalay,
Jed W. Fahey,
and their colleagues at Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine have tested more than 50 varieties of
broccoli seeds. Their work shows that some types of broccoli
seeds provide much more sulforaphane.
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| Q: |
Aren't there some food safety risks from eating sprouts? |
| A: |
Brassica has revolutionized the safety standards in the
sprouting industry. Our Pathogen Reduction
and HACCP Program and safety procedures apply to all BroccoSprouts.
Following FDA suggested protocols, Brassica requires all seed to
be washed and cleaned with 20,000 PPM calcium
hypochlorite prior to sprouting. Using only water and light,
the plants are grown under special, natural conditions. They
are then tested for sulforaphane GS content. The Brassica
Sprout Group has initiated quality and safety control procedures
for all facilities that grow BroccoSprouts that are, by far, the
most stringent in the industry.
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| Q: |
Are BroccoSprouts equivalent to adult broccoli? |
| A: |
No. BroccoSprouts are not intended to substitute for a
serving of vegetables; they are intended to supplement the diet.
Broccoli is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and
should be consumed often, along with a wide variety of fruits
and vegetables. However, BroccoSprouts are guaranteed to
provide a minimum of 20 times as much sulforaphane GS as cooked
adult broccoli. Only BroccoSprouts can make this guarantee.
One ounce of BroccoSprouts broccoli sprouts provides as much
sulforaphane GS (SGS™) as 1 1/4 pounds of market-ready adult
broccoli. Sulforaphane levels vary widely among different
broccoli plants and cannot be detected except through scientific
analysis. Only BroccoSprouts are grown from specially selected
seeds and tested by the Brassica Protection Products
laboratories to ensure that they contain guaranteed minimum
levels of SGS.
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| Q: |
Are BroccoSprouts a substitute for fruits and vegetables? |
| A: |
No. We recommend that everyone consume five to nine
servings a day of vegetables and fruits. A one-ounce serving of
BroccoSprouts contains 15% to 20% of the recommended amount of
Vitamin C, which means that it can count as a serving of
vegetable. However, we highly recommend that you eat as many
fruits and vegetables as possible, including BroccoSprouts.
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| Q: |
What is sulforaphane glucosinolate? And what does it do in the body? |
| A: |
Sulforaphane in its natural glucosinolate precursor is a
phytochemical found naturally in some plant foods. Cruciferous
vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are particularly
abundant in SGS. Scientific research indicates that SGS supports
antioxidant activity in the body. It is a long-lasting
antioxidant that triggers Phase 2 enzymes in the body that help
to remove free radicals and other chemicals that my cause DNA
damage. Unlike Vitamin C, which requires several doses per day,
SGS requires about 3 or 4 doses per week.
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| Q: |
Does sulforaphane have any relation to sulfa-based drugs? |
| A: |
Sulfa drugs and sulforaphane are quite unrelated and there
is no cross allergy. In fact, there is no known allergy to
sulforaphane.
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| Q: |
How much sulforaphane GS do BroccoSprouts broccoli sprouts contain? |
| A: |
A one-ounce serving of BroccoSprouts broccoli sprouts
contains 73 milligrams of SGS, the naturally occurring precursor
of sulforaphane. That's about as much SGS as in 1 1/4 pounds of
cooked adult broccoli.
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| Q: |
How can consumers tell how much sulforaphane GS is in the broccoli sprouts they buy? |
| A: |
Until now, they couldn't tell. The Brassica Protection
Products seal is the assurance that BroccoSprouts broccoli
sprouts contain scientifically measured minimum levels of SGS.
Brassica Protection Products' exclusive laboratory employs the
most rigorous scientific techniques to test, select, propagate,
develop and certify BroccoSprouts for SGS content.
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| Q: |
Do broccoli sprouts contain the other things in broccoli such as fiber, vitamins and calcium? |
| A: |
Yes. One ounce of broccoli sprouts contain 4% of the
recommended daily value of dietary fiber, 15% of the recommended
amount of vitamin C, and 2% of the recommended intake of
calcium.
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| Q: |
What is the nutritional content of BroccoSprouts? |
| A: |
Please see Nutritional Content of BroccoSprouts
for this information.
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| Q: |
Does heating BroccoSprouts affect their nutritional content? |
| A: |
The sulforaphane GS precursor of sulforaphane is very heat
stable, but cooking in water could extract these compounds.
BroccoSprouts will retain their sulforaphane content if
microwaved or heated without water. You can cook BroccoSprouts
in foods and retain their potency.
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| Q: |
How much BroccoSprouts broccoli sprouts should you consume? |
| A: |
A serving size is one ounce, about 1/2 cup. Because the
antioxidant properties in BroccoSprouts are long lasting, we
recommend one serving every other day.
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| Q: |
Can a person accumulate toxic levels of SGS by eating the broccoli sprouts? |
| A: |
Analysis has shown no danger of toxicity.
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| Q: |
What scientific evidence shows that sulforaphane supports antioxidant function in the body? |
| A: |
Sulforaphane activates the enzymes in the body that detoxify
reactive forms of oxygen. For more information, please visit
www.brassica.com.
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| Q: |
Are BroccoSprouts different from other broccoli sprouts? |
| A: |
Yes. Not all broccoli sprouts are alike. Dr. Paul Talalay
and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine have tested more than 50 varieties of broccoli seeds.
Their work shows that some types of broccoli seeds provide much
more sulforaphane GS than others. Only BroccoSprouts are grown
from these special seeds, which are tested by Brassica
Protection Products and grown under conditions to ensure they
contain certified levels of sulforaphane GS.
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| Q: |
What is the status of sulforaphane research? |
| A: |
Studies on sulforaphane have been very promising, but we do
not have enough information to fully support any understanding
of its effects on humans. Research is ongoing at this time.
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| Q: |
Where can I get more information about BroccoSprouts and sulforaphane? |
| A: |
Call 1-877-747-1277, or visit www.brassica.com.
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| Q: |
What does it mean that BroccoSprouts are patented? |
| A: |
The United States Patent Office issued patents to Johns
Hopkins University for the discovery of the high levels of
glucosinolates in broccoli sprouts, which was a totally novel
discovery. Brassica Protection Products has an exclusive
worldwide license from Johns Hopkins to market this discovery.
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| Q: |
Can other people grow broccoli sprouts?
How can I grow my own BroccoSprouts? |
| A: |
No one else has a license for this patented technology from
Johns Hopkins University to grow the broccoli sprouts commercially.
You can, however, purchase the seeds for growing sprouts for personal
use only from Caudill Seed Company,
at (800) 695-2241.
You can purchase sprout growing kits from your local health food store.
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| Q: |
What does it mean that "a portion of the proceeds from the sale
of this product is donated to The Brassica Foundation for
biomedical research on vegetables? |
| A: |
Because of our commitment to ongoing research into the
healthful benefits of plants, the Brassica Foundation for
Chemoprotection Research was founded to further research on risk
reduction of disease, with an emphasis on dietary approaches.
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| Q: |
What is Brassica Protection Products LLC and how can I contact them? |
| A: |
Brassica Protection Products LLC was created to ensure that
products made from plants that provide sulforaphane and other
phytochemicals are developed and made available to the public
under rigorous and standardized scientific conditions, and with
the highest standards of food safety. Brassica Protection
Products is located in Baltimore, Maryland. Its phone number is
410-837-9244 or toll-free at 1-877-747-1277. You can also learn
more about BPP at www.brassica.com.
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| Q: |
Are many varieties of broccoli sprouts rich in sulforaphane GS? |
| A: |
No. Dr. Paul Talalay and his colleagues at the Brassica
Chemoprotection Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University have
tested over 50 of the 80 varieties of broccoli currently
available and their work shows that only a few produce sprouts
with high concentrations of sulforaphane GS.
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| Q: |
What do BroccoSprouts® taste like? |
| A: |
They are delicious. They do not taste like broccoli; they
taste like radishes with a little spicy bite that comes from the
release of the sulforaphane GS when you bite into them.
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| Q: |
Doesn't broccoli also contain sulforaphane GS? |
| A: |
Research by Dr. Talalay has demonstrated that broccoli
sprouts contain 20 to 50 times more sulforaphane GS than
full-grown broccoli. A few ounces of BroccoSprouts delivers
equal or greater levels of sulforaphane GS as several pounds of
broccoli. Moreover, SGS levels in broccoli sprouts generally
are more uniform. SGS levels vary widely among different
broccoli plants and cannot be detected except through scientific
analysis.
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| Q: |
Are other sprouts just as good? |
| A: |
Other sprouts do not contain significant levels of
sulforaphane GS.
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| Q: |
Are BroccoSprouts genetically engineered or genetically modified? |
| A: |
NO. BroccoSprouts are completely natural. The scientists
at Johns Hopkins spent years culling the varieties of broccoli
seed that had the highest sulforaphane GS content. Only those
varieties of seeds are cultivated for BroccoSprouts.
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| Q: |
How long can I keep / store BroccoSprouts. What is the shelf life? |
| A: |
BroccoSprouts should be stored in the refrigerator at all times.
If they are properly refrigerated, they should be good for at least
one to two weeks after the "sell-by" date marked on the label.
Occasionally, products do get warmed up in the distribution from our
producers to the warehouse to the store. The store should not put
them on the shelf if this happens, but if the sprouts look mushy or
smell bad you should return them to the store.
If the sprouts get very wet, they will deteriorate faster so extra
moisture may lessen the shelf life (they are spun-dry when they are grown).
We have extensively tested the SGS content of sprouts and the potency
does not decline over three or four weeks. The compound is very stable.
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| Q: |
What does the "sell-by" date mean? What is the shelf life? |
| A: |
After being grown, washed and tested, BroccoSprouts are put in the
grower's cooler to ensure they are cool and fresh when they are shipped.
The date on the package is two weeks after the date they are produced.
The product should remain fresh in your refrigerator for at least one to
two weeks following the sell-by date provided that it is kept properly
refrigerated. (See how long can I store BroccoSprouts)
If the sprouts get very wet, they will deteriorate faster so extra
moisture may lessen the shelf life (they are spun-dry when they are grown).
We have extensively tested the SGS content of sprouts and the potency
does not decline over three or four weeks. The compound is very stable.
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| Q: |
Are BroccoSprouts low carb? |
| A: |
BroccoSprouts contain 1 g of carbohydrates per 1 ounce serving.
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| Q: |
How much Vitamin K do BroccoSprouts® contain? |
| A: |
A one-ounce serving of BroccoSprouts has about 1/2 the Vitamin K
of a serving (3 ounces) of adult broccoli.
We have reviewed the vitamin K content of BroccoSprouts and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Information on vitamin
K content of foods, and tested Vitamin K content of BroccoSprouts by
independent lab Strasburger & Siegel. Our analyses show that
BroccoSprouts contain 1.35 micrograms of vitamin K per gram of fresh
Sprouts. This converts to 135 micrograms per 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces,
which is more than one would consume per day), or 38 micrograms per
one ounce serving. The vitamin K content of market stage (adult)
broccoli is reported as 205-270 micrograms per 100 grams, and one might
well consume 100 grams at a time. Other vegetables are reported to
contain from about 5 to about 1,500 micrograms per 100 grams. Of
course, discuss this with your physician and follow his or her
recommendation.
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| Q: |
What is the value of Antioxidants?
What happens in our bodies that creates a need for antioxidants? |
| A: |
Oxidation is a chemical reaction involving the element oxygen.
To simplify, exposure to charged particles of oxygen theoretically
leads to the deterioration of human cells and DNA somewhat in the way
that an apple slice turns brown. But as cooks know, brushing the apple
slice with lemon juice, which contains acidic antioxidants, will
retard the process.
Highly reactive charged particles of oxygen called free radicals
form naturally as extra electrons attach themselves to about 5 percent
of inhaled oxygen. In research that became widely known two decades ago,
oxidation caused by free radicals was implicated in many diseases,
including cancer and heart disease, and in the aging process itself.
These suggestive findings led many people to hope that large
doses of supplements, especially vitamin C and E and beta-carotene,
could retard aging and prevent disease.
The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association,
however, warn that not enough is yet known about which forms and
dosages of supplements may be effective.
Antioxidant free radical scavengers form naturally in the
well-nourished body, many authorities point out, and suggest that a
diet rich in fruits and vegetables and perhaps a daily vitamin
supplement probably provide enough antioxidants without the risks
that large doses of some vitamins pose.
"Value of Antioxidants" is by C. Claiborne Ray,
The New York Times, March 15, 2005
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| Q: |
How do the levels of antioxidants in broccoli sprouts
compare to other foods / beverages with antioxidants?
What is the ORAC score for broccoli sprouts or SGS? |
| A: |
Neither BPP (nor the scientists at Johns Hopkins) have tested broccoli
sprouts or SGS extracts using the ORAC method
(Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)
because we do not believe that it can properly measure the powerful,
persistent and prolonged phase 2 enzyme boosting activity and indirect
antioxidant capacity of sulforaphane and its pre-cursor glucosinolate
glucoraphanin (SGS™).
ORAC measures the ability of a substance to quench specific free radicals
at a specific single point in time in a laboratory (in vitro) test.
However, true antioxidant protection of cells and the body requires that
there is continuous and long-term capacity to detoxify damaging oxidants.
ORAC does not measure this ability over time and therefore simply does not
take into account whether a substance continues to provide activity and
protection after this single point. Indeed, ORAC is useful in measuring a
direct antioxidant where the neutralizing of free radicals is on a
one-to-one basis - where one molecule of the antioxidant usually detoxifies
one free radical and destroys itself in the process.
Such is not the case with the Phase 2 inducers which activate the
mechanism that boosts the ongoing activities of detoxifying enzymes in
the body for as long as several days.
In practice, most antioxidants such as Vitamin C found in orange juice,
polyphenols in tea and anthocyanins in blueberries are rapidly eliminated
from the body in just a few hours, whereas SGS stimulates the body to
protect for several days.
Thus, we feel that an ORAC measurement is simply not an adequate
representation of the antioxidant and health power of broccoli or broccoli
sprouts or their active components. Direct antioxidants (measured by ORAC)
are short-lived, self destruct during the protection process and require
continuous replenishment. Phase 2 inducers such as sulforaphane set in
motion a protective process that depends on the boosting of the body's
own protective enzymes. This protection persists, long after the sulforaphane
or SGS have left the body, because the enzymes continue to do their
protective work and are not used up in the process of protection.
References:
- Correlation
analyses of phytochemical composition, chemical, and cellular measures
of antioxidant activity of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Var. italica).
J Agric Food Chem 53: 7421-31.
Eberhardt, MV, Kobira, K, Keck, AS, Juvik, JA and Jeffery, EH, (2005)
- The chemistry behind antioxidant capacity assays.
J Agric Food Chem 53: 1841-56.
Huang, D, Ou, B and Prior, RL, (2005)
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