Health Benefits of Microgreens
Microgreens transform ordinary fruit smoothies into nutrient powerhouses, delivering up to 40 times more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than mature vegetables—creating a concentrated burst of essential nutrients that fuels your body with every delicious sip.
Microgreens have become a buzzword in nutrition circles—and with good reason. These miniature greens deliver exceptional nutritional value and offer a range of health benefits. In this post, we’ll delve into how microgreens stack up against their mature vegetable counterparts, highlighting the latest scientific findings.
Exceptional Nutrient Density
Research demonstrates that microgreens can be up to 40 times more nutrient-dense than their fully grown versions (Kapoor et al., 2017). This means that even a small serving of microgreens can provide a concentrated dose of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
For instance, red cabbage microgreens have been found to contain up to 40 times more vitamin E and six times more vitamin C than mature red cabbage (Kapoor et al., 2017). Broccoli microgreens are particularly impressive, boasting up to 50 times more sulforaphane—a powerful compound known for its anticancer properties—than mature broccoli (Huang et al., 2012).
Supporting Disease Prevention
Thanks to their rich antioxidant content, microgreens are associated with a lower risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes (Xiao et al., 2012). In one study, broccoli microgreens reduced both the incidence and size of tumors in mice with bladder cancer (Huang et al., 2012).
Fighting Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is at the root of many diseases, and microgreens have shown promising anti-inflammatory effects (Xiao et al., 2012). For example, research on arugula microgreens demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammation markers in rats (Kitts et al., 2010).
Low-Calorie, High-Fiber Nutrition
Microgreens are not only nutrient-dense but also low in calories and high in fiber, making them ideal for weight management and overall health. The fiber content helps regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and support healthy digestion (Manchali, Murthy, & Patil, 2012). For a simple way to boost your meal’s nutrition without adding extra calories, just toss in a handful of microgreens!
Ready to Try Microgreens?
Microgreens are a nutritional powerhouse that can be effortlessly added to your daily meals. By incorporating a small amount of Ono Microgreens, you can enhance your nutrient intake and potentially lower your risk of chronic disease. Why not give them a try and experience the benefits for yourself?
References
Huang, Y., Cai, W., Xu, B., Liu, J., & Zhang, Y. (2012). Broccoli sprouts delay prostate cancer formation and decrease prostate cancer proliferation with a concurrent decrease in HDAC3 protein expression in TRAMP mice. The Journal of Medicinal Food, 15(9), 968-975. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0243
Kapoor, S., Kapoor, D., & Kakkar, P. (2017). Microgreens: A review. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 54(12), 3753-3765. doi: 10.1007/s13197-017-2911-y
Kitts, D. D., Yuan, Y. V., & Wijewickreme, A. N. (2010). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of dark green leafy vegetables with added calcium-rich seasoning mix. Journal of Food Science, 75(3), H77-H85. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01547.x
Xiao, Z., Lester, G. E., Luo, Y., Wang, Q., & Attieh, J. (2012). Phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of lettuce varieties and their fractions. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 60(27), 6732-674
Manchali, S., Murthy, K. N. C., & Patil, B. S. (2012). Crucial facts about health benefits of popular cruciferous vegetables. Journal of Functional Foods, 4(1), 94-106.