UA’s CCHS Hosts Brussels Sprout Challenge at Heart Walk

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences will once again be hosting the Brussels Sprout Challenge during the American Heart Association West Alabama Heart Walk on Saturday, March 25.

The College is partnering with Manna Grocery and Deli to roast and serve Brussels sprouts at the walk, which will start at 8 a.m. March 25 at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Last year, more than 900 Brussels sprouts were distributed at the challenge.

To complete the Brussels Sprout Challenge, participants must eat one roasted Brussels sprout at each mile marker of the 3.1 mile walk. Those who complete the challenge by eating all three will be awarded a T-shirt at the end of the walk.

The idea for the heart-healthy challenge came from Dr. Richard Streiffer, dean of the College, as a healthy alternative to the Tuscaloosa Krispy Kreme Challenge, a two-mile race modeled after a North Carolina event that dares participants to eat a dozen donuts at the midpoint of the race. Streiffer wanted to offer a challenge that promoted healthy eating and lifestyle choices while complementing the American Heart Association’s mission to build healthier lives free of heart disease and stroke.

The College will also provide handouts about the health benefits of Brussels sprouts, which include heart health and cancer protection, as well as Brussels sprout recipes.

The mission of the College is to improve and promote the health of individuals and communities in Alabama and the region, and one way it accomplishes this mission is through community outreach.