Have you ever heard of microgreens? They are micro herbs packed with a nutritional punch. Microgreens are approximately 1-3 inches tall and have a strong aromatic flavour that can make any dish taste delicious. They are packed with essential nutrients and come in plenty of colours. These baby plants are harvested 7 to 21 days post-germination. The young vegetable greens can be grown anywhere, including windowsill, outdoors, greenhouses, etc. Seeds of various plants, including chickpeas, beans, lentils, wheat, corn, etc., can be used to produce microgreens. Most microgreens are an excellent source of potassium, copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium. Also, they contain antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals known for causing ailments like cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Micronutrients' nutrient content is concentrated. This means their levels of vitamin, minerals, and antioxidants content are much higher (up to nine times higher) than the same quantity of mature greens. This is what a study published in the Journal of Food Consumption and Analysis states.
Here we give you a few more reasons to add microgreens to your daily diet.
Microgreens Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases
Being jam-packed with a class of antioxidants called polyphenols, microgreens can potentially reduce your probability of developing cardiovascular disease. They work by lowering bad or LDL cholesterol levels in your blood. Notably, polyphenols improve the function of the inner lining of your heart and blood vessels.
Lower Alzheimer's Risk
According to research published in the Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, having foods rich in polyphenols can reduce the risk of suffering from non-communicable diseases like Alzheimer's disease. It is an irreversible and progressive brain disorder characterized by memory lapses, difficulty concentrating and multitasking, a decline in the ability to make decisions, etc.
Regulate Your Blood Sugar Level
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that occurs when either your pancreas stops producing enough insulin hormone or your body becomes unable to use it effectively. Notably, insulin helps your body cells store sugar from your blood and later use it for energy. Fenugreek microgreens have scientifically proven to enhance your cellular uptake of sugar by 25 to 44 per cent, says a study published in the journal Natural Product Report.
Lower Risk of Certain Cancers
As mentioned above, microgreens are rich in antioxidants known to reduce oxidative stress in the body caused by free radicals. Notably, free radicals can react to your body cells and result in abnormal cell growth that can further cancer. These are known to damage your DNA, cell membrane, and proteins potentially.