Have you heard about microgreens? If not, and if you are looking for ways to grow your own healthy foods, microgreens are something you should learn more about.
Not only are microgreens loaded with nutritional value, but they will also add plenty of flavor to anything you cook.
The great part is you don’t need nearly as much plant volume to get the same flavor and nutritional values that you would get from sprouts and full-grown plants. This means you get flavor and nutrients, and you will save calories if you are watching your weight.
Another great thing about microgreens is that you can easily grow them inside your home, in a minimal amount of space.
Even if you are an urbanite living in a tiny apartment, you can likely easily find room to grow microgreens. All you need is a windowsill that gets plenty of sunshine, and you are good to go.
Let’s take a look at some of the many nutritional benefits of microgreens for your diet.
What are Microgreens?
When plants are in the stage between seedling and spout, they are referred to as microgreens. These microgreens are harvested once they have gotten their first few leaves. When you watch a seed grow into a plant, you will first notice a small sprout.
Then, it will develop the first two leaves. These leaves look a lot different than the regular leaves that will come later if you were to allow the plants to grow.
The next thing you will see is three to five leaves that look similar to the grown plant, only much smaller. These are the microgreens, and it is at this stage when you should be harvesting them.
There are all kinds of types of microgreens, so you are sure to be able to find several that will suit your tastes. Some of the many plants that can be grown as microgreens include chard, watercress, radish greens, parsley, chives, basil, cilantro, spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula.
How your microgreens will taste will depend largely on the original vegetables. Microgreens tend to have much more flavor than the original vegetables, and they also have many more nutrients.
The health benefits are much the same as with sprouts, but there is a very specific profile for every microgreen, depending on the type of plant it is from in the first place.
Health Benefits of Microgreens
One of the best things about growing microgreens is that you can pick them and immediately eat them. This means that most of the nutrients are going to go directly from the plants into your body, and there will be little to no loss of nutrients because the microgreens aren’t sitting around losing their nutritional properties.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of adding microgreens to your diet.
Lower Risk of Heart Disease
If you have high blood pressure, you could be on your way to developing heart disease. Luckily, adding microgreens to your diet can help lower your blood pressure. This is particularly true if you are growing plants that are high in fiber and vitamin K.
Help Fight Cancer
Many plants, including microgreens, have cancer-fighting properties. Research shows that broccoli microgreens contain sulforaphane, which can target and kill cancer stem cells.
Not only can microgreens help to prevent cancer, but they are also ideal for the diets of cancer patients.
Boost Your Immune System
Vegetables in general have anti-inflammatory properties, so it only stands to reason that microgreens would have the same properties, and in much higher doses.
Microgreens are loaded with nutrients that can help to boost the immune system, and you will find that you don’t suffer from seasonal colds nearly as often as you did before you started adding microgreens to your diet.
Improve Your Eyesight
As we age, we may need reading glasses, as our sight diminishes over time.
Eating more leafy greens, including microgreens, can help to improve your vision health because microgreens contain lutein in high doses. This helps the eyes absorb less light intensity, which is what is known to cause headaches and migraines.
Reduce Constipation
We all need fiber in our diets, to keep our systems, particularly the bowels, regulated.
Adding microgreens to your diet can help to reduce constipation, and keep your bowel movements regular. If you are already constipated eating microgreens can help to make things move a bit faster, so you aren’t spending all day in the bathroom.
Avoid Digestive Problems
We need to have probiotic organisms in our guts, and because microgreens are high in prebiotic fiber, they may be just what you need to have good gut health.
The prebiotic fibers can help to encourage the growth of intestinal bacteria, which is necessary for our overall good health.
Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
Certain microgreens are known to help lower cholesterol, and even help you lose weight, even if your diet is high in fat. One microgreen, in particular, can help keep your cholesterol down, and that is red cabbage microgreens.
If you are considering making changes to your diet because your cholesterol is high, it is a good idea to start adding microgreens to your diet.
Conclusion
Seeing as how microgreens are so easy to grow, there is no need for them to not be in your diet. Get a tray, some organic seeds, a growing medium, and a bit of water, and you have everything you need to grow your microgreens in your own home.