Why You Should Eat Microgreens

Bigger is not always better, at least not when it comes to vegetables.

Microgreens — the seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs — are under 3 inches tall. But they’re more than just a cute garnish.

“Microgreens deliver big flavor and provide more concentrated nutrients than their full-grown counterparts,” says registered dietitian Kayla Kopp, RD, LD. “Adding them to your favorite dish can take a balanced diet to the next level.”

What are microgreens?

Microgreens are young vegetables harvested anywhere from one to three weeks after planting. That’s when the first true leaves — which undergo photosynthesis — start to come out.

But don’t confuse microgreens with sprouts, which also offer a nutritional punch:

• Sprouts: Harvested as newly grown seeds (before leaves arrive) after growing just a week or less. They don’t require sunlight.
• Microgreens: Slightly older and grow in sunlight, increasing their nutritional value.

“The leaves of microgreens capture energy from the sun and collect the water and nutrients the plant absorbs from the soil,” Kopp explains. “And because they are still young and growing, the leaves are rich in nutrients.”

Microgreens benefits

The nutritional benefits of each type of microgreen depend on the plant. But research shows that microgreens may contain 4 to 40 times the nutrients of mature plant leaves.

“Vegetables are already high in vitamins, but the minerals and phytochemicals in microgreens offer even more nutritional value,” Kopp continues. “As a bonus, many of the nutrients in microgreens act as antioxidants, with the power to prevent cell damage.”

Research on microgreens is still in the early stages, but based on what experts know about the benefits of vegetables, they may:

1. Help manage Type 2 diabetes

People with Type 2 diabetes can’t control the amount of sugar (glucose) in their blood — their cells don’t remove sugar from their blood like they’re supposed to. But microgreens can help with regulating your blood sugar.

Research on animals shows that broccoli microgreens improve insulin resistance so sugar leaves the blood to enter cells. Fenugreek microgreens — a legume that’s a staple in Indian cooking — may also improve how well cells take in sugar by 25% to 44%.

2. Improve thinking and reasoning

Polyphenols are plant-based substances with antioxidant properties. They provide several health benefits — and microgreens have lots of them. Scientific evidence shows that polyphenols may improve how well you think and reason (cognition) and even prevent or delay the beginning of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Lower the risk of heart disease

Polyphenols are also linked to a lower risk of heart disease. More specifically, studies in the lab show that when red cabbage microgreens are added to a high-fat diet, they reduce body weight, triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol — all risk factors for heart disease.

4. Prevent cancer

Brassicaceae microgreens contain sulforaphane. One of sulforaphane’s many health benefits is cancer prevention. Research suggests that adding Brassicaceae microgreens to a balanced diet may help prevent, block or possibly reverse cancer growth. One study finds this family of microgreens to be especially useful in preventing colon cancer.

5. Protect vision

Lutein is a powerful antioxidant found in spinach, broccoli, dandelion and cress microgreens. It may be especially beneficial for eye health in older adults. Studies show that lutein may improve or prevent age-related macular disease.

6. Reduce the risk of anemia

Iron deficiency is common and the leading cause of anemia worldwide. Many microgreens, including lettuce and those in the Brassicaceae family, are rich in iron. But studies show that fenugreek microgreens have the highest levels of iron.

Types of microgreens

Microgreens pack powerful flavors for such little plants. The taste varies and can be sweet, spicy, earthy or bitter — all depending on the vegetable.

“You can grow microgreens from any herb or vegetable. Some people even grow grains (like oats and wheat) or legumes (like lentils) as microgreens,” Kopp says. “Most microgreens taste, or have an aftertaste, similar to their mature plant.”

Experts categorize microgreens into different plant families, which include:

• Amaranthaceae: Amaranth, beet and spinach.
• Amaryllidaceae: Garlic, leek and onion.
• Apiaceae: Carrot, celery, dill and fennel.
• Asteraceae: Endive, chicory, lettuce and radicchio.
• Brassicaceae: Arugula, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish and watercress.
• Cucurbitaceae: Cucumber, melon and squash.

How to use microgreens

Microgreens offer the most nutritional bang for their buck when eaten raw, says Kopp. You can add them to your diet in countless ways, including:

• Adding them to salads and sandwiches.
• Blending them into pesto or smoothies.
• Using them as a garnish for soups, pizza or pasta dishes.