People are reversing inflammation, healing gut issues, and regaining energy—without prescriptions, powders, or pricey protocols. The common denominator? Sprouts. And Doug Evans is leading the charge.
On “A Healthy Point of View” podcast, Sam Tejada, CEO and Founder of Liquivida®, sat down with Doug Evans—bestselling author of The Sprout Book and co-founder of The Sprouting Company—to explore why these tiny greens are rapidly gaining ground as one of the most powerful, affordable healing foods on the planet. Backed by science and embraced by everyone from elite athletes to wellness minimalists, sprouts are reshaping how we think about nutrition, disease prevention, and growing your own medicine at home.
Why Sprouts Are the Future of Phytonutrient Health | Doug Evans | Ep. 63
From Paratrooper to Plant Advocate
Doug’s journey begins not in a garden, but in combat boots. A former member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Doug grew up navigating trauma, dysfunction, and poverty. He joined the military seeking structure — and found it. But it wasn’t until his family was devastated by a series of health crises, including diabetes, strokes, heart disease, and cancer, that Doug realized the true enemy wasn’t external. It was what we put on our plates.
“I thought we were genetically cursed,” Doug shared. “Until someone looked me in the eyes and said, ‘You’re not cursed — you’re just living a carcinogenic lifestyle.’ That changed everything.”
Awakening Through Plants
In 1999, Doug met Denise Murray — a woman who introduced him to the world of raw, living foods. Together, they founded Organic Avenue, one of the first raw vegan retail chains in the U.S. Doug radically changed his diet, giving up processed foods and replacing them with sprouts, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
The result? Mental clarity, physical energy, and a sense of purpose he had never felt before.
“I had so much energy I didn’t know what to do with it,” he said. “I couldn’t go back to a ‘normal’ life. I needed to share this with the world.”
The Desert Revelation
After losing a juicing company to corporate politics and media backlash, Doug retreated to the desert. With no access to fresh food, he had a moment of divine insight while soaking in hot springs: “You know how to sprout.”
And with that, his life — and mission — changed again. Armed with nothing but jars, seeds, and water, Doug began growing his own food in the desert. Within weeks, he was thriving on nothing but sprouts — a nutrient-dense, sustainable, and shockingly inexpensive source of nourishment.
Why Sprouts?
Sprouts, Doug explains, are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. They contain:
- All essential amino acids
- Complete proteins
- Every known phytonutrient
- Vitamins like C, A, E, and K
- Minerals and enzymes
- Both soluble and insoluble fiber
And perhaps most astonishingly, they grow without soil, fertilizer, or sunlight — in just a few days — for less than a dollar a serving.
“A handful of broccoli sprouts has more phytonutrients than a full head of broccoli,” Doug said. “This isn’t garnish — this is medicine.”
Sprouting for the People
Doug’s mission is not just health — it’s accessibility. In a world where clean eating often comes with a luxury price tag, sprouts are a great equalizer. Anyone, anywhere — even in a food desert or a high-rise apartment — can grow their own food.
That’s why Doug founded The Sprouting Company, offering sprouting kits and tools that simplify the process. He also created a free mobile app to help users track and time their sprouts for optimal growth.
“Sprouts are the solution,” Doug emphasized. “They’re affordable, scalable, and they heal.”
Beyond the Hype: The Science of Healing
Doug dives into the science behind the sprouts’ healing potential, including compounds like sulforaphane, found in broccoli sprouts, which have been shown to:
- Kill cancer cells
- Detoxify pollutants like benzene
- Regulate insulin and blood sugar
- Reduce oxidative stress
- Improve inflammation and recovery in athletes
In fact, he notes that many elite performers — including professional athletes — have used sprouts to cut their recovery time in half.
And for those concerned about flavor or convenience? Doug’s advice is simple: give it a chance. Replace lettuce in your sandwich with sprouts. Make a salad with a variety of them. Blend them into smoothies. Juice them. Sprouts are more than palatable — they’re powerful.
The Movement: Make America Healthy Again
Doug is a vocal supporter of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, championed by RFK Jr., and he believes sprouts should be central to it. With rising rates of chronic disease, Doug argues that we don’t need more drugs — we need more plants.
“Sprouts qualify for everything — weight loss, inflammation, mental clarity, detoxification,” he says. “It’s time for a sprout revolution.”
Whether you’re a wellness veteran or just getting started on your health journey, Doug Evans offers a simple invitation: start small. Add sprouts to your life. Grow them at home. Learn about their benefits. And watch as your health begins to change — from the inside out.
As Doug puts it, “Most people are self-medicating with food. Sprouts can be that bridge between the desire to be healthy — and actually being healthy.”