Nutritional Information

Microgreens are rich in vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, phenolic compounds, many other antioxidants and carotenoids. Furthermore, microgreens contain great amounts of dietary minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium and manganese.

While nutrient contents vary slightly, most varieties of microgreens tend to be rich in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and copper. What's more, their nutrient content is concentrated, which means that they often contain higher, mineral and antioxidant levels than the same amount of quantity of mature greens. Research also shows that they contain a wider variety of polyphenois and other antioxidants than their mature counterparts. Although vitamin and antioxidant levels varied, levels measured in microgreens were up to 40 times higher than those recorded for mature leaves.

Phenolic compounds derived from natural sources have been linked to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-carcinogenic, antihypertensive, cardioprotective, anti-arthritic and antimicrobial activities. Phenolic compounds are abundant in plant based diets. Above all, phenolic compounds in plants are important to human health. Mainly due to their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Many foods are rich in phenolic compounds. Certainly microgreens are among the best sources. For instance broccoli microgreens have about 10 times more phenolic compounds than the mature plant.

In a 2012 study of microgreens, it was reported that the sample which had the lowest levels of vitamin C, contained a whopping 20 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams.

Red cabbage microgreens had the highest levels of vitamin C among the tested varieties, with a 100 gram portion providing 147 milligrams, which equaled to 245%of the daily value of this vital nutrient.

Researchers in a 2012 study of microgreens found substantial amounts of tocopherol and gammatocopherol (vitamin E compounds) in the tested greens. The amount of alpha-tocopherol and gammatocopherol combined with ranges from 7.9 to 126.8 milligrams per 100 grams, with green daikon radish scoring the highest value in the analysis.

For adults, the recommended daily allowance for vitamin E is 15 milligrams of alpha-tocopherol.

Cartenoids, such as beta-carotene, are thought to reduce the risk of disease, particularly certain types of cancer and eye disease.

Microgreens are a good source of this important nutrient, in fact some microgreens appear to contain even more beta-carotene than carrots.

Researchers who analyzed the beta-carotene content of microgreens found that these super-nutritious greens also provide other carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin.

The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A (retinol). Vitamin A, known as a vital nutrient for vision, plays a critical role in cell growth and in maintaining healthy organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys.