Microgreens Benefits

A recently published scientific study to pin down what gourmet food experts and nutritionists have mentioned repeatedly about the seedlings of green vegetables and herbs.

Microgreens deliver delicious food in a practical fashion – often packing enough nutrition inside them to deserve being called superfoods.

Microgreens can provide crunch and flavor to dishes or be ingested as a nutritious juice. The benefits to humans are enormous – from essential vitamins and minerals to potentially life-altering compounds and enzymes that work within your body to promote a healthy lifestyle.

In this article, I am going to share with you the benefits of microgreens covering many of the most popular microgreens available.

OVERALL BENEFITS OF MICROGREENS

The overall benefits of microgreens fall under the following broad categories:

Adding Concentrated Flavor to Food or Juices

In general, microgreens contain highly concentrated amounts of the ingredients of the full-grown vegetables.

So, if you like broccoli or brussels sprouts as a food item, or kale in your salads, having the respective microgreen will get you the same taste experience – except fresher, crunchier, more colorful, and even more savory.

If you enjoy a wheatgrass smoothie, the microgreen version of wheatgrass will taste even sweeter – since wheatgrass typically loses some sweetness when it continues to mature beyond a certain point (usually 5-8 days) after germination.

Providing Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Specific nutritional elements vary, but almost every microgreen contains high concentrations of vitamins (such as A, B complex, E, C, and K), minerals (such as iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and others), fibers, proteins, amino acids, and other essential nutrients – often in quantities that will help you reach and exceed your daily requirement in a hurry.

Microgreens often contain compounds such as selenium, choline, chlorophyll, flavonoids, Omega-3 fatty acids, or sulforaphane, which provide substantial health benefits – they are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, boost immunity, and balance our overall system.

Helping with Short and Long-Term Health

As we list below, microgreens are packed with the ingredients for a better life. Depending on what you choose to grow and eat, they can help with a plethora of problems, including:

• Heart Health, starting from lowering cholesterol and hypertension
• Reducing inflammations
• Boosting immunity
• Better digestion
• Reproductive health
• Women’s health – including helping menstrual cycles
• Cancer prevention
• Skincare
• Haircare
• Better vision
• Sharper memory and prevention of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease
• Better balance for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Patient
• Hormonal balance
• Enhanced energy
• Help with recovery from certain diseases and conditions
• Help with the production of breast milk
• Appetite suppression
• Better digestive health …

… the list goes on and on!

We list specific details on approximately 30 types of microgreens below that you should check out.

There are many others as well but start with these.

Alfalfa Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Alfalfa microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Alfalfa microgreens can be eaten in salads or added as ingredients/garnishes in dishes.

(Garnet) Amaranth Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Garnet Amaranth microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Pink or green Amaranth microgreens are an ancient herb from India that adds color and a sweet flavor to any dish or salad.

Arugula Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Arugula microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Arugula microgreens can be added to salads or used in dishes as garnish at the end.

Basil Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Basil microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Basil microgreens can be used as a herb in cooking, or as a salad ingredient or garnish.

Bean Seeds Overview And Benefits

Bean Seeds microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below. However, given the wide variety of bean seeds available, specific nutritional content will vary based on the type of bean seed microgreens being grown.

Bean seeds microgreens can be had in a variety of ways – including boiled, sauteed, or raw. They can be dropped as ingredients or garnishes in salads and main dishes.

Beet Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Beet microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Beet microgreens can be had as a salad or used in sandwiches or foods.

Broccoli Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Broccoli microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Broccoli microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish.

Brussel Sprouts Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Brussel Sprouts microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Brussel Sprouts microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish.

Red Cabbage Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Red or purple cabbage microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Red Cabbage microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish.

Cauliflower Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Cauliflower microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Cauliflower microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish.

Celery Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Celery microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Celery microgreens can be added to food or salad as an ingredient or for garnishing. They can also be ingested as a juice.

Chia Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Chia microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Chia microgreens are usually had as a garnish, though can be mixed in a juice.

Chrysanthemum Seeds Overview And Benefits

Chrysanthemum microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Chrysanthemum microgreens can be made parts of salads, dressings or in hot teas.

Cilantro Microgreen Overview and Benefits

Cilantro microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Cliantro microgreens can be used as a spice or garnish on a wide variety of salads and dishes.

Clover Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Clover microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Clover microgreens can be used as a spice or a garnish.

Corn Overview And Benefits

Corn microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Corn microgreens can be included as a base or ingredient for food, or as an additive for salads.

Cress Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Cress microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Cress microgreens are often had as a garnish, but can be added as an ingredient in meals.

Green Daikon Radish Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Green Daikon Radish microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below. 

Green Daikon Radish microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish.

Dill Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Dill microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Dill microgreens are aromatic, with the flavor of anise and lemons, and add a great taste to fish, eggs, potato salads, soup, and seafood dishes. They have been around since ancient Egypt.

Fennel Overview And Benefits

Fennel microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Fennel microgreens are usually used as a garnish or spice ingredient in a main dish. They can also be used in dips and sauces.

Fenugreek Overview And Benefits

Fenugreek microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Fenugreek microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish. It is used as a core ingredient in many Indian and South Asian preparations.

Kale Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Kale microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below. 

Kale microgreens ideal ingredients in salads, soups and main dishes.

Kohlrabi Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Kohlrabi (also known as German turnip) microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below. 

Kohlrabi, despite its name, is not a root vegetable but related to the brassica family of vegetables (such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower). Kohlrabi microgreens can be used in soups or salads or be sauteed or roasted.

Lettuce Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Lettuce microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below. 

Lettuce microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish.

Mustard Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Mustard microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Mustard microgreens can be included in a salad, eaten raw, boiled or sauteed, or included as part of a dish.

Onion Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Onion microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Onion microgreens can be had in multiple way, directly in dishes or salads, or as garnish.

Parsley Overview And Benefits

Parsley microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Parsley microgreens can be used as a garnish or an ingredient in dishes, salads and soups.

Pea Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Pea microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Pea microgreens can be cooked, boiled or sauteed; assembled into dishes or used as garnish.

Perilla Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Perilla microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Perilla microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish..

Sorrel Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Sorrel microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Sorrel microgreens can be had as a salad or food ingredient, or as a garnish.

Spinach Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Spinach microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Spinach microgreens can be had as a salad or as a food ingredient. Boiled or steamed spinach microgreens are excellent sources of nutrition and health benefits.

Sunflower Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Sunflower microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Sunflower microgreens can be added to a salad or a dish as a main ingredient or a garnish.

Swiss Chard Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Swiss Chard microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Swiss Chard microgreens can boiled, steamed or roasted. They can be eaten as a side or as a part of a main dish.

Turnip Microgreen Overview And Benefits

Turnip microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Turnip microgreens can be used in any and all types of foods and salads.

Wheatgrass Microgreen Overview And Benefits

 Wheatgrass microgreens and their nutritional contents are described in the table below.

Wheatgrass microgreens can be ingested in smoothies or used as a garnish in dishes/salads. Most people use this microgreen by juicing it and taking a shot of the juice for good health.

Why Are Microgreens So Good For You?

As a result of their rich nutrients, most microgreens provide extended health benefits – often in quantities significantly higher than the fully grown plant.

For example, wheatgrass is a known antioxidant with marked anti-inflammatory, anti-toxin, and antibacterial properties. It is known to positively impact conditions as varied as arthritis, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

It can even improve cognitive functions and improve digestion. When ingested in microgreen form, these benefits accrue with greater frequency and incidence.

Are Microgreens Better Than Vegetables?

Microgreens contain between 4 to 40 times the nutrients that an adult plant has, which means that the health benefits are multiplied.

In addition, microgreens will typically retain more taste (e.g., sweetness) than the adult plants, making them even more savory – whether it be as garnishes, salad, food, or smoothie ingredients.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There are dozens of additional varieties of microgreens that are nutritious and beneficial from a health perspective.

The bottom line is that you cannot go wrong with microgreens – if the vegetable, plant, or herb itself has significant value, the microgreens will multiply their taste and benefits manifold. The great thing about microgreens is the amount of information and supplies that are out there today.

It is a fairly easy proposition to get stocked up on seeds and microgreen growing kits so you can continue to grow delicious microgreen ingredients at home. The research is well worth the effort and will end up paying for itself in no time.