What Are These Leafy Greens?
Microgreens are green vegetables and herbs that are harvested once the cotyledon leaves have developed. Now, if you’re anything like me, you have no idea what a cotyledon is.
In simple terms, a cotyledon, is the beginning sprout of a vegetables and herbs that are only a few inches tall. These small sprouts are enriched with nutrients, vibrant colors, and bursting with flavor. They’ve grown popular in upscale markets and restaurants.
What are microgreens used for?
When I tell you these small sprouts are packed with nutrients, I mean it. Broccoli sprouts are the most common microgreen used today. Broccoli sprouts offer vitamin A, B, C, E, and K, all in one little sprout!
They also offer micro-elements such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and zinc. Even more, they may aid in reversing chronic illness such as heart disease and type-11 diabetes.
This unbelievable green is not only used for its nutritious value, but people are also using them to detoxify their livers. Broccoli sprouts offer the most sulphoraphane over any other plant in the world. Sulphoraphane is the number one active enzyme that your liver needs in order to detoxify itself.
Why are they so popular?
The popularity of these power greens grow more and more everyday. In years prior a study done by Dr. Micheal Greger concluded that red cabbage had the most nutrients and could give you the most bang for your buck.
Since then Greger has completed multiple studies that concluded broccoli microgreens are even better! You can buy microgreens online or at your local health food store, for about $20/lb.
One pound of seeds yields about 75 cups worth of fresh sprouts. That comes out to around 25 cents per cup. Nutritionally, one cup of microgreens equates to 27 cups of broccoli! You can’t beat that!
How are people using microgreens?
You can check out this great article to see how people are using micro-greens and get some awesome recipes to get you started. I’ll also summarize here for a quick look.
These things are crazy easy to use. For the most basic recipes all you have to do is sprinkle them over common recipes and dishes.
Try microgreens in a salad or on a burger. Using them as a raw topping is about as easy as it gets. If you want to get fancy you can absolutely cook them into pasta or other savory dishes where you would typically use fresh herbs. Different varieties of micro-greens can impart certain flavors and even spice to a dish.
Another popular way to use them is to blend them into your favorite smoothie or juice them. For more info on healthy drinking for athletes, check out this past post on hydration and electrolytes.
If you want them to last a little longer you can also dehydrate your microgreens and grind them down.
Powdered microgreens are popping up more and more as a supplement. As promoters of nutrition, this movement has caught our eye here at Endurance Athletics.
Make sure you subscribe to our email list if you want to see more microgreen info over the next few weeks!
