You may not have heard much about microgreens, but we are here to tell you that they are one of the most nutrient dense foods you can be adding to your daily food intake. They are the young seedlings of edible herbs and vegetables that are usually harvested less than 14 days after germination, they come in a plethora of colours depending on what veggie or herb you are consuming and are often used as pretty garnishes on top of meals without people really realizing how nutrient dense these little gems are!
Microgreens are very high in polyphenols which contain powerful antioxidant properties, helping protect our bodies from free radicals and oxidative damage. Free radicals are highly reactive compounds that form in the body and cause damage to our cell walls which can then lead to cell degeneration and chronic disease. Vegetables and herbs are very high in these polyphenols, but microgreens are even higher as all the vitamins and minerals in a fully mature plant are able to be crammed into a much smaller, more concentrated package meaning you can eat more of them in one sitting!
These miniature greens are also jam-packed with vitamin C, E, K and beta-carotene. Vitamin C is fantastic at keeping our immune systems happy and healthy and again will assist in combatting free radicle cell damage providing the body with antioxidants. Vitamin E is also essential for strong immunity as well as healthy skin and nails and will provide the body with cardiovascular support. Then there is vitamin K, this vitamin plays an important role in promoting normal blood clotting, preventing excess bruising and maintaining healthy and strong bones! Lastly, we have beta-carotene which is known to help maintain good eye health and vision as well as assisting with respiratory ailments and preventing macular degeneration. This isn’t even everything that these nutrient dense little greens have to offer!
Microgreens can easily be added to wraps, salads or thrown in a smoothie with other fruits and veggies for an antioxidant hit. They all vary in taste from more bitter greens like arugula, radish and mustard to the milder tasting basil, watercress and beets, there is sure to be a sprouted microgreen to suit your palate as well as keep meals interesting by changing up the flavours to suit different dishes! If you aren’t a huge fan of the taste a great was to disguise these little guys is by blending them up in a big smoothie with sweeter fruits such as banana, mango and berries for a concealed nutrient dense delicious meal.
