MICROGREENS

What Are Microgreens?

Microgreens are young green plants that grow from vegetable or herb seeds and can be considered a super food. 

They are harvested just before maturation, within 7 to 21 days after germination, once the small leaves have grown.

 

There are different varieties of microgreens that provide concentrated amounts of vitamins, minerals and carotenoids.

They are rich in nutrients like iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, calcium, selenium, molybdenum, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, omega 3's, omega 6's, amino acids and a wide variety of polyphenols as well as other antioxidants.

 

Microgreens  .  .  .

•Can help lower the risk of heart disease

•Help in weight management

•Lower Alzheimer’s disease risk

•Manage diabetes

•May manage cancer risk

 

*What’s more, their nutrient content is concentrated, which means that they contain higher vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels than the full grown plant.

Not only do microgreens add a nutritional punch to salads, soups, sandwiches, and wraps, they add zest to grilled fish and meats, mix into scrambled eggs or omelets, blend into a smoothie, use as a topping on pasta, add to a sandwich for extra texture, garnish hummus or other dips.

These tender plants offer delicious flavor to just about any dish..

Health Benefits of Microgreens.

Microgreens have become increasingly popular in the past handful of years, and a great deal of ongoing research seeks to understand all the health benefits these tiny plants offer. 

Early research has indicated that microgreens contain up to 40 times more phytochemicals (beneficial nutrients and components) than their full-grown counterparts.

Research also shows that they contain a wider variety of polyphenols and other antioxidants than their mature counterparts.

These little greens are small in stature, they contain extremely high levels of powerful vitamins, minerals, and health-supporting components.

•Microgreens may help fight high blood pressure, why? Foods that are high in fiber and vitamin K can be helpful in maintaining a healthy blood pressure, and microgreens are high in both of these important elements as well as other vitamins and minerals.

•Microgreens may help fight cancer.       

Research is ongoing into this subject, but some early evidence suggests that sulforaphane — a compound found at especially high levels in broccoli microgreens may help fight cancer.

•Microgreens can help lower cholesterol.          Studies found that some microgreens lower levels of LDL cholesterol, liver cholesterol, and inflammatory cytokines — all factors that can increase your risk for heart disease.

 

•Microgreens can support gut health.         

Foods that are high in dietary fiber, like microgreens, can ease constipation or other gastro-intestinal distress when eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet.                           

Research also indicates that dietary fiber serves as a " prebiotic," or material that provides an ideal environment for the "good" bacteria in the human microbiome (gut) to flourish.