Microgreens
Hippocrates said, "Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food."
Microgreens are tiny vegetables that require no preparation to consume. You simply add them to whatever you are eating such as a burger, eggs, tacos, wraps, sandwiches, and smoothies - the possibilities are endless (just don't cook them as they lose their nutritional value). They are a delicious superfood packed with concentrated nutrients - containing up to 40 times more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than their mature plant versions. Eating microgreens is like getting a super shot of vitamins!
These nutrients are 100% bioavailable, which means your body is able to absorb all of the nutrient content. Microgreens are rich in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper. They are a great source of antioxidants. Vitamins E, C, and beta carotene are important antioxidants, and studies show that taking a supplement does not compare to eating fresh, organic Microgreens. Antioxidants help protect our bodies from the harmful effects of free radicals.
Free Radicals
Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if levels become too high in your body. They are linked to cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Research suggests that polyphenols are associated with a reduced risk of these debilitating illnesses. Free radicals can be caused by cigarette smoke, alcohol, high blood sugar, radiation, excessive sunbathing, and bacterial, fungal, or viral infections among many other things.
Polyphenols contain powerful antioxidant properties that also help prevent the buildup of harmful free radicals that form in the body and cause damage to cells as well as chronic disease. Polyphenols are micronutrients exclusive to plants that have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. In a 2009 study in the Journal of Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, the author cited that "long-term consumption of diets rich in plant polyphenols offer protection against the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases."
A 2013 Maryland study showed a wider variety of polyphenols in the Brassica family such as Broccoli, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Mustards, Arugula, Radish, Pac Choy, Kale, and Wasabi. I love this study from the University of Maryland-College Park where they fed rats a high-fat and low-fat diet. The rats were given either red cabbage microgreens or mature red cabbage. In the group that was fed red cabbage microgreens, their weight was reduced by 17%, their bad LDL cholesterol by 34%, and their triglycerides by 23%.
Incorporating Microgreens
Rotating microgreens provides health-promoting variety in your diet. By adding microgreens to your food, you help close any gaps in your vitamin or mineral intake. Micronutrients are essential as they include vitamins and minerals and are one of the major groups of nutrients that your body needs, while macronutrients are protein, fats, and carbohydrates. An adequate intake of all micronutrients is necessary for optimal health as each vitamin and mineral has a specific role in your body.
At Nordic Acres Farm, I grow a wide variety of organic microgreens, and I can help you find the right microgreens to aid in your journey to better health. Contact me here to learn more, or click here to shop for all of our available microgreens. All microgreen orders placed by a Sunday at midnight will be available 2 weekends later for pickup or delivery.
