(NaturalHealth365)  We all know that eating a diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables has many health benefits, but now experts are bringing a new player onto the healthy foods landscape: microgreens.

Microgreens are smaller than most of the whole foods you’re probably used to eating, but according to health experts, they are packed with micronutrients and can boost your nutrient intake.

How do microgreens differ from sprouts and baby greens? 

Microgreens are not sprouts, but they aren’t baby greens either.  They fall somewhere in between.  These vegetables are harvested immediately after they develop leaves, typically between seven and twenty-one days after germination.  Sometimes it may be a little longer because the true mark of a microgreen is that it is picked right after the emergence of its first true leaves.

Many vegetables can be harvested as microgreens, including beets, broccoli, garlic, melon, celery, cabbage, carrot, squash, spinach, arugula, grains, and legumes.  Depending on the type of plant, the flavor of microgreens differs.  They can be sour, bitter, or neutral.  However, a basic flavor characteristic is concentrated and strong.

Microgreens are an excellent source of 5 essentials for immune system health

There are almost 30 minerals and vitamins that the human body cannot manufacture in adequate amounts on its own.  These minerals and vitamins are called “essential micronutrients.”  The five main micronutrients essential for healthy immune function are:

• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Vitamin B6
• Magnesium
• Vitamin E

These nutrients are vital for maintaining healthy organ function, a healthy brain, and more.  Because they are best when they come direct from the source, microgreens are an optimal, natural way to consume micronutrients in a form that is easiest for the body to process – because it is natural.

What are the benefits of eating microgreens?

One of the biggest benefits of eating microgreens regularly is that they deliver a tremendous amount of vitamins and minerals in a natural format that the body can easily process.  They are also very high in antioxidants which fight many health issues, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer.

Several studies have found that microgreens contain up to 40 times more vitamins and antioxidants than more mature plants.  As a result, they pack a nutritional punch that you can’t get with most other foods.

How to get more microgreens in your diet?

It’s fairly easy to incorporate microgreens into your daily diet.  You can add them to your dishes, such as salads, wraps, and sandwiches.  If you prefer smoothies or juicing, they are also great for that.

You can use them as a garnish for many dishes; they are best eaten raw.  That is how you get the full nutritional impact.

You may have to go to a health food market or a local grower to find microgreens because they are not typically sold in most grocery stores.  However, if you feel ambitious, you might even grow them yourself.

Sources for this article include:

Food.news
Health.Harvard.edu
MindBodyGreen.com
Healthline.com