Microgreens dubbed the “heroines of the nutrition world,” are gaining popularity. However, are they ideal for your health?

What are Microgreens?

Microgreens are immature vegetables that resemble sprouts. However, microgreens and sprouts are different. 

Seeds that have just begun to sprout are called sprouts. We harvest them before their leaves fully develop. Microgreens, on the other hand, grow from shoots and produce leaves.

Microgreens are plants that have produced their first true leaves and finished producing their juvenile leaves, known as cotyledons. You can typically harvest seeds cultivated in water in two or three days. You can trust this source.

Sunlight is required for microgreens to grow well. They can grow with or without soil. Depending on the kind, we harvest them after one to three weeks.

You can grow microgreens from any type of herb or food. The taste will differ depending on the plant you choose.

Health Benefits of Microgreens 

Microgreens include a high concentration of phytochemicals, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins. Experiments with real people and controls revealed that these foods effectively combat free radicals. These foods may also aid with weight loss, lowering the risk of heart disease, and controlling blood sugar levels. The benefits of microgreens, they include phytochemicals that reduce inflammation, diabetes, and bacteria. They’re also relatively easy to digest. 

Broccoli, radish, and other Brassicaceae microgreens contain compounds called indoles and flavonoids, which have been found to combat cancer, particularly colon cancer. We need more research to determine whether these characteristics apply to various types of cancer and microgreens.

Rich in nutrients. 

• Many plant-based diets include substantial levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals. 
• These nutrients can help you avoid a variety of health issues. 
• Maintaining a healthy weight and improving one’s physical and mental health 
• Microgreens, or greens, may benefit you in all of these ways and more.

Contains antioxidants. 

Eat enough plants to receive all of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you require. Minerals and vitamins are essential for a variety of biological functions. 

Antioxidants aid in the elimination of free radicals, which are non-solid waste molecules. 

Environmental pressures, such as pollution and normal biological processes, form free radicals. As they accumulate, they may cause damage to cells. In the long run, this injury could exacerbate pre-existing disorders such as cancer. 

Even when the body gets rid of some free radicals, more can accumulate. Foods containing antioxidants can aid in their elimination. Plant-based foods are an excellent way to obtain vitamins. 

Sustainability 

People in cities can enjoy seasonal vegetables grown close to home at a low cost, which is fantastic news for the growing movement towards sustainability. 

Microgreens are easy to grow in a small indoor environment. A simple purchase can provide significant quantity, diversity, and nutrition advantages. 

You can count on a consistent supply of microgreens because they just take a few weeks to grow. Rotating three crops helps to ensure that everyone has access to fresh microgreens at all times. Microgreens cultivated in hydroponic systems do not even require dirt. 

Nutrition 

Microgreens, like other vegetables, vary in nutrient content depending on the kind. 

According to what we know, some may have more nutrients than their fully developed equivalents. 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 100 grams (g) of kale microgreens contain 29 calories. 

Another study suggests that eating kale and other Brassica microgreens may be an excellent method to meet your daily calcium and antioxidant vitamin requirements. 

How to Grow Microgreens at Home

Microgreens are challenging to find now, but they’re simple to grow in your backyard. You can purchase a microgreen growing kit online or from various garden supply stores. Place seed-starting soil in the propagator, scatter seeds on top, and then softly spray the plant with water. Place the propagator near a window or other light source, avoiding direct sunlight. Microgreens, two or three inches tall and edible, can develop swiftly if misted with water daily.

Growing them is fast, inexpensive, and requires little effort. In the kitchen, you can grow for everyone. You can grow them inside all year. When compared to sprouts, microgreens require soil and sunlight to thrive. Mild greens include arugula, amaranth, beets, basil, cabbage, celery, chard, cilantro, chervil, cress, fennel, kale, mustard, parsley, and radish.

Dietary guidelines 

Microgreens not only add nutritious value to meals, but they also enhance any dish’s color, flavor, and texture. 

There are various options for people to add microgreens to their diet: 

For example, you can use it as a garnish on salads, soups, flatbreads, and pizzas. It can also add nutritional value to smoothies or juices, serve as a side dish to any main dish, add color and flavor to omelets or frittatas, and replace lettuce in tacos, burgers, or sandwiches. 

Sweet recipes can also benefit from using herb microgreens. Fruit mousse and strawberry-topped yogurt are two meals that could benefit from a sprinkle of mint. 

Read More How to Grow Microgreens: A Step-by-Step Guide

Microgreens vs. Baby Greens: What’s the Difference?

Microgreens and baby greens may sound similar but differ in taste, texture, and vitamin content. Let’s look at what distinguishes these two current tones of green.

Harvesting microgreens, which are small, immature edible greens, occurs shortly after the first true leaves appear. Add these small greens to salads and sandwiches to improve their flavor and nutritional value. They’re also a popular way to spice up various other dishes. Harvesting occurs when they are just a few inches tall, 7 to 21 days after sprouting.

Baby greens, on the other hand, are slightly larger and more mature than microgreens. Harvesting occurs when the leaves transition from microgreens to tender and edible. Baby greens are larger and more solid than their smaller counterparts. They have a milder flavor. People commonly offer them as mixed salad greens, but you can also enjoy them raw in salads or cooked in soups and stir-fries.

Microgreens and baby greens do not have the same nutritional value. Both are healthy, but microgreens provide more minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants per serving. Microgreens are an excellent option for anyone concerned about nutrition because studies suggest they can contain more nutrients than their fully developed counterparts.

Microgreens typically have a richer flavor and a softer, more delicate texture than other salad greens. Because they are manageable, they can add color and flavor to recipes without being overpowering. On the other hand, baby greens have a milder flavor and a more firm texture, making them versatile in the kitchen.

What’s the best microgreens for nutrition option? It all depends on how they taste and how you intend to incorporate them into your dishes. Microgreens are the best option if you want both nutritious and delicious. However, young greens may be a better option if you prefer a softer taste and a heartier texture. Microgreens and baby greens, whichever you prefer, are both excellent additions to a healthy diet.

The Future of New Superfood Nutrition

Scientists are currently exploring how light affects the nutrients in microgreens. Researchers believe that a side-by-side comparison of microgreens and adult plants is necessary due to the significant nutrient fluctuations caused by soil, location, and harvest time. That being said, this study is an excellent place to begin. We can’t wait to learn what their research reveals.

Takeaway

Microgreens are a fun and simple way to add fresh, healthy food to your diet that even city dwellers can enjoy and benefit from. They may contain more nutrients than conventional ones and pair nicely with sweet and savory foods.

Growing, watering, and picking microgreens on a window sill with children can help them develop an interest in eating greens. Growing microgreens can be an inexpensive and sustainable method to get fresh produce on the table.