Have you heard of microgreens? Produced in America since the mid-1990s, microgreens consist of several young seeds taken from herbs and vegetables. They are then harvested in about 10 days once they have experienced cotyledon. If you are on a healthy journey or simply want to add a delicious flavor to your diet, they are perfect to incorporate in several dishes.

Microgreens have been receiving a lot of attention lately, and rightfully so, since they are nutrient-dense, improve digestion, reduce the risk of cancer and protect vision, making them a practical and highly beneficial option for your plate. Read on to learn more.

Nutrient-dense

Vegetables and herbs are packed full of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a healthy diet. In the case of microgreens, the seeds come directly from matured vegetables or herbs, making them highly nutritious. In many cases, they contain even higher levels of nutrients than other vegetables.

With all of the different types of microgreens you can choose from, you can hand-select which one is best for you depending on your health and diet goals. Here are some of the more popular types of microgreens you can find in stores and the vitamins and minerals they contain:

• Broccoli is rich in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, B, C and K.
• Kale is rich in vitamins B, C and K.
• Peas are rich in vitamin B, folate, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.
• Radish is rich in vitamin B.
• Amaranth is rich in vitamins A, B and C, as well as calcium, iron and magnesium.
• Arugula is rich in vitamin A.

Some microgreens may be more accessible than others since the price of each can vary. However, you can’t go wrong with eating any type since they each have their benefits.

Improve digestion

If you are looking to balance your gut microbiota to improve digestion, incorporating substances such as fiber, enzymes and phytonutrients into your diet is essential. Having a strong digestive system is important since it aids in supplying energy for your body and helps repair cells. Unfortunately, a lot of food today is over-processed and lacks nutrition. Luckily, microgreens have these digestion-boosting elements and can be quickly added to your favorite meals.

Reduce risk of cancer

We all know how devastating and life-changing a cancer diagnosis can be. Fortunately, your body can use sulforaphane to slow down the growth of a tumor, reducing the chance of cancer progressing. Eating microgreens, specifically broccoli, is a great way to optimize how much sulforaphane your body receives. Take your future into your own hands by adding superfoods like microgreens.

Protect your eyes

As we age, many of us will experience a decline in our vision. You can combat this with lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A, C and E. Microgreens are a great natural source of these nutrients. Like most other health habits, the earlier you start incorporating them into your daily life, the better results you will obtain — and the better you’ll be able to see them.

If you are ready to take the next step in your health journey, consider picking up a container of microgreens the next time you are at your local grocery store. For those with a green thumb, these superfoods can easily be grown from home. You won’t regret your decision to include these little greens in your daily meals since they not only add great flavor but also promote healthy digestion, reduce the risk of cancer and protect vision. Microgreens are truly the way to go to increase your vitamin and mineral intake.

Lindsey Certonio is a project manager at Fullcast, a Silicon Slopes-based, end-to-end RevOps platform that allows companies to design, manage and track the performance of their revenue-generating teams.

Newsletter