Microgreens are tiny green vegetable plants having the size to about 2.5 to 7.5 cm tall. They are a rich source of valuable nutrients enriched with aromatic flavour available in variable colours as well as textures. These baby plants are falling in between baby green or a sprout.
Types of Microgreens
Various type of seeds is used to grow microgreens. Among them “Brassicaceae family” include radish microgreens.
Among home growers and foodies “Radish microgreen” is one of the popular microgreens. A number of factors are involved in the popularity of radish microgreen. For chefs and foodies, it gives crunchy texture, spiciness and fresh flavour to the foods. Radish microgreens also contain vital nutrients and vitamins in abundance. Radish microgreens can be grown in a home in a short time and easily.
Nutritional Value of Radish Microgreen
Radish microgreens contain a high concentration of Vitamin B3, Vit.B6, Vit. C, Folate, and traces of Manganese. They are also abundant in Vit A, K, and E, iron, potassium, phosphorus, beta carotenes, calcium, magnesium, pantothenic acid and zinc.
Following are some important benefits of regular use of radish microgreens.
1. Radish microgreens contain Vitamin B6 and folate that helps in improving the cardiovascular system:
Folate and vitamin B6 helps in cardiovascular health promotion by causing breaking down of homocysteine which is involved in the deposition of fats in blood vessels causing heart attack and brain haemorrhages.
2. Anti-Cancer Food:
High glucosinolate concentration of microgreens especially radish microgreens makes it more suitable anticancer food as compared to broccoli.
3. Weight Loss Effects
Radish microgreens one of the best foods that help in weight reduction. As radish greens contain low calories along with vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in burning body fat if available in appropriate concentration. Radish microgreens fulfil this requirement of the body thus helps in weight loss by burning body fat and make it available to fulfil the energy requirement of the body.
4. Benefits for the Skin
Radish microgreens help in glowing our skin. The skin on daily basis has to face free radicals, drugs, pollution, toxins, UV radiation, heavy exercising and stress, but vitamin C provided by radish microgreens helps to destroy these dangerous molecules and makes our skin looks more healthy and neutrally glowing.
5. Helps in controlling Alzheimer’s disease:
Radish microgreens containing antioxidant-rich components like a high concentration of polyphenols, causing helps to reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk.
6. Radish microgreens help in Diabetes:
The antioxidants present in microgreens help to reduce the stress that can prevent sugar from properly entering cells. Research studies show that Radish microgreens increase the glucose uptake of cells by 25 to 44 per cent thus helps in reducing diabetes.
References:
Mir, S. A., Shah, M. A., & Mir, M. M. (2017). Microgreens: Production, shelf life, and bioactive components. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 57(12), 2730-2736.
Kyriacou, M. C., Rouphael, Y., Di Gioia, F., Kyratzis, A., Serio, F., Renna, M., ... & Santamaria, P. (2016). Micro-scale vegetable production and the rise of microgreens. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 57, 103-115.
Xiao, Z., Lester, G. E., Luo, Y., & Wang, Q. (2012). Assessment of vitamin and carotenoid concentrations of emerging food products: edible microgreens. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 60(31), 7644-7651.
Delian, E., Chira, A., Bădulescu, L., & Chira, L. (2015). Insights into microgreens physiology. Sci. Pap. Ser. B Hortic, 59, 447-454.
Xiao, Z., Codling, E. E., Luo, Y., Nou, X., Lester, G. E., & Wang, Q. (2016). Microgreens of Brassicaceae: Mineral composition and content of 30 varieties. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 49, 87-93.