Everyone expects to live a long and healthy life, but how could you manage this if you love to eat? The answer is simple – eat healthy, and for doing that all you need to be looking for in your meals are microgreens.

Wondering what microgreens are and how they can be beneficial to you? Read this post to know!

Microgreens- A Brief:

As the name suggests, microgreens are miniature vegetables. They happen to be so tiny because they are harvested just for 2 – 4 weeks after they germinate. They come in different color variations and have loads of flavor. Preparing meals with microgreens results in not only virtually appealing dishes, but also mouthwatering delights. They add great texture to a meal and serve as a vibrant garnish on any plate.

Following are the health benefits of microgreens.

1. High Level Of Beta-Carotene:

Doctors say that carrots are good for the eyes. That’s because they contain a compound known as beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is also found in certain microgreens in higher quantities. This compound is a type of carotenoid. It can fight diseases related to the eyes and is even said to help prevent Type 2 diabetes (1). Lutein and zeaxanthin are other carotenoids found in these tiny veggies that are known to prevent cataract and macular degeneration in the eye. They also protect the eyes from the harmful UV rays.

2. Fabulous Source Of Vitamin K:

Microgreens have a huge amount of Vitamin K in them. A Yale study helped discover that when pea microgreens were exposed to light, they produced greater levels of the vitamin. Vitamin K has many benefits for the body. It promotes bone health by preventing osteoporosis and building strong bones and cartilage together with calcium. This vitamin also improves bone density. Another thing about Vitamin K is that it promotes blood coagulation and reduces nose bleeds and treats bleeding gums.

3. More Nutrition Than Mature Leaves:

The leaves of microgreen vegetables are more nutritious than their mature versions. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on 25 microgreens available commercially determined that the first young leaves or cotyledons of the seedlings are extremely nutritious. In fact, they are 4 – 6 times more nutritious. These cotyledons are a supply of food to the young plant and possess valuable nutrients that the young plant would need to survive. So, eating them will offer us the same level of intense nourishment.

4. Source Of Antioxidant Vitamin C:

Microgreens are a powerful source of Vitamin C (2). Each type of microgreen has healthy doses of the vitamin packed in it, but the amounts vary from one type to another. Vitamin C is important for developing strong immunity against colds. It aids in healing wounds and helps develop durable connective tissue by promoting collagen production. The vitamin also assists the body in iron absorption from food and works as an antioxidant.

5. Enjoy The Benefits Of Vitamin E:

Substances rich in Vitamin E have the capacity to serve the body in numerous ways. The kind of Vitamin E in microgreens is known as tocopherol ⁽³⁾. Maintaining a diet containing this vitamin will improve the body’s ability to produce red blood cells and decreases the chances of suffering from cancer and heart diseases, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

6. Powerhouse Of Antioxidants:

Antioxidants prevent and repair cell damage caused by free radicals. This makes them very important, especially in our diet. Microgreens are filled with antioxidants that are useful to the body ⁽⁴⁾. The Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science stated that lettuce seedlings have the highest level of antioxidants after 7 days from germination. Thus, a handful of microgreens can be very beneficial for maintaining good health.

7. Better Than Sprouts:

Sprouts are prepared by soaking them in water for a few days. However, microgreens grow in the soil for almost one to six weeks, allowing them to absorb minerals and other nutritional elements from the earth. Thus, they have a better nutritional content than sprouts. However, be mindful of the water used to grow sprouts, as contaminated water can result in food poisoning and other illnesses, like Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

8. Free From Chemicals:

Micro greens spend very little time in the soil. So there is no real need for the use of pesticides and herbicides when growing them. This makes it less likely for them to pass on chemicals when consumed, making microgreens a very healthy vegetable option.

9. Combine Well With Healthy Foods:

Microgreens are tasty and flavorful. They add crunch and a lovely texture to food. These baby veggies are good to eat as they are paired with other ingredients. You can enjoy them in a salad with other vegetables and some fruit, add them to soups, put them in a sandwich, or use them as a garnish to bring out the color in other foods.

10. Growing Microgreens Is Relaxing:

Gardening is a relaxing activity and considered a great stress buster. And, growing your own vegetables will reduce your worries about chemicals, toxins and other nasty things that could be in your food. Producing microgreens is very simple and doesn’t take much effort. The growth and nurturing process is very short, so almost anyone can do it. Plus, you do not need to have a garden for this. You will need a pot, tray or any container that will hold 1 ½ to 2 inches of mud. Fill it with soil, and then spread the microgreen seeds you have chosen over it. Cover them with a thin layer of soil. Then water them to keep the mud moist. Now just keep watering them till they grow in a couple of days. After which you can snip their stems and enjoy them in a deliciously healthy meal.

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by Maanasi Radhakrishnan via STYLECRAZE