Can Bearded Dragons Eat Brussel Sprouts?
Yes, bearded dragon can eat brussels sprouts. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes are curbed with the intake of brussels sprouts. Various vitamins and minerals useful for body enhancement and protection are derived from brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts is made up of a lot of water locked inside of it which is helpful to your dragon. The fruits are referred to as buds and are very edible.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
In most environments or countries where brussels farming is done, the main motive is to harvest it because of its edible buds which are nutritious to the body. Every plant has a group it belongs to. The gammifera group of cabbages brassica oleracea is the mustard family brussels falls under. This vegetable is very green in color, has lots of leaves and looks very much like the popular cabbage vegetable we use in our salads. The only difference is that it looks smaller in size compared to the regular common size of a cabbage vegetable. This vegetable was named after a city in Belgium called brussel where it was cultivated in the 13th century. It was found growing near Brussels which happens to be the capital of Belgium. It was first discovered in the northern part of Europe in the 5th century. Brussels sprouts plants are biennial plants with four petals and yellow flowers. The flavor of brussels sprouts plant is pleasant to the taste bud of the tongue and has very nutty taste with a texture that feels crispy. Brussels is a good source of various useful nutrients that can enhance the health of its consumers. Vitamin C, B12, K, B2, A, B1 can be derived from this vegetable. Other beneficial nutrients present in brussels are potassium, phosphorus, choline, copper, iron, magnesium and the likes. The body is subject to disease and infection that’s why nutrients like sulforaphane, indoles, glucosinolates, isothiocynates, coumarins, dithiolthiones and phenols are found in brussels to help fight diseases in the body.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BRUSSELS SPROUTS TO BEARDED DRAGONS
NUTRITIONAL STATUS
The nutritional status of brussels sprouts is very high. The size of it might cause you to underestimate the vegetable but the nutritional level is larger than the fruit itself. Brusesel is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Your bearded dragon needs good nutritional diet for survival which makes brussel a highly recommended choice. They stand a chance of enjoying low carlories, protein, carbs, fiber, vitamin K, C, and folate while they ingest this vegetable. Vitamin k is useful for blood clotting, vitamin C which has numerous functions in the body like absorption of iron, tissue repairs and body immunity and fiber helps with blood sugar regulation all this and more are what your dragon will benefit if it can be added to their meal.
SOURCE OF RIBOFLAVIN
Riboflavin is also referred to as vitamin b2. It is commonly found as part of the nutrients gotten from foods and to make it more available to people that needs it specially in their diet it is made available as supplements. Specifically, it is found in food sources like eggs, beef, pork, liver, chicken breast, salmon, cheese and the likes. The breakdown of fats, protein and carbohydrates is the central function of vitamin b2. The energy used within the body to carry out all it’s activities has it’s supply being maintained by the presence of riboflavin. Bearded dragons needs this nutritional functionality In their body system.
THIAMINE SUPPLY
Thiamine, thiamine and vitamin b1 are all the same so which ever way you see it written on the body of a consumable product it all means the same thing. Thiamin is commonly derived from our day to day foods and is produced also as a supplement which can serve the puupose of deficiency enrichment and medication. It plays an essential role in aiding the generation of energy from nutrients gotten from ingested foods. The growth, development and effective functionality of the cells is possible through thiamine activities. For example the carbohydrate taken into the body is used as energy through thiamine’s presence meaning it’s essential for glucose metabolism. Bearded dragons can work with this.
CHOLINE
This is an essential nutrient that is needed by humans and also animals. It is obtainable in most foods and should be included in all your diets. To be specific choline is good for memory regulation, moods, muscles control and other vital functions needed for healthy existence of living beings be it humans and animals. Considering the name, the pet reptile is called bearded dragon that means that it has hair in certain parts of the body and that hair would have to be maintained. Choline plays a vital role in hair maintenance in living things including your dragon. Keeping your dragon skin hair fresh and healthy is something you should be interested in.
ANTIOXDANT
Brussels sprouts are high in antioxidant content which is helpful for all round health in the body. The impact of antioxidant is positively felt in the body as it performs great functions like fighting free radicals, reduction of oxidative stress, brain and mental wellbeing, antiaging problems, strong visions and the likes. Antioxidants in brussels sprouts is a valuable content in this fruit that makes it highly rated for consumption.
SIDE EFFECTS OF BRUSSELS SPROUTS TO BEARDED DRAGONS.
PHOSPHORUS VS CALCIUM
Foods or fruits that contain higher levels of phosphorus and lower level of calcium is not a very good bet for your dragon. Phosphorus hinders the inner body activity which is absorption of calcium into the body system. If you are well enlightened about this you know it is not encouraged. Calcium deficiency can lead to bone disease in your bearded dragon and this can be detrimental to their healthy growth.
OXALIC ACID
This is another great factor that hinders calcium’s dominance in the body. Oxalic acids are commonly found in plants, seeds and nuts and the major problem it comes with is the problem of binding. It binds with the popular nutrient in the body known as calcium and interrupts its absorption thereby resulting into deficiency in the body system of your dragon. If you give your dragon more of foods that contains this acid it means calcium will depreciate in the system of your pet which is unwise.
LOW CALCIUM
Naturally, Brussel sprouts is low in calcium. Low calcium foods do not really work well with meting up to your dragon’s needs for calcium. Therefore, feeding them very often with a large amount of brussel sprouts is not exactly helpful for your dragon’s bone health because as you feed them with more brussel to catch up with a good amount of calcium you also expose them to an overdose of the other nutrients.
HOW TO FEED BRUSSELS SPROUTS TO BEARDED DRAGONS
- Wash thoroughly with clean water to free it of dirt and protective chemicals applied on it during growth.
- For easy edibility you can chop or slice the brussels into small pieces to help your dragon munch them easily to avoid chocking.
- You can also feed it to them directly to make it a little fun
IN CONCLUSION
Highly nutritious fruits are what is highly prescribed for bearded dragon when rearing. If you love your pet so much ensure you keep it under strict surveilling when it comes to food intake. Food is good, food is necessary, give your dragons the right type of food and you will see the right results.