What Are Microgreens? 7 Benefits Of Microgreens You Should Know – Women’s Health

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, and the good news is that plant-based foods like microgreens have positive effects on blood pressure. “Any plant-based food with fiber and vitamin K has the potential to lower blood pressure,” says Auslander Moreno—along with the other blood pressure treatments recommended by your doc, of course.

Auslander Moreno says plants, including microgreens, can have anti-cancer properties. In fact, research from the journal Future of Oncology found that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli microgreens, has the potential to target cancer stem cells.

If you feel the sniffles coming on, do yourself a favor and make a salad. “Any vegetable has the potential to be anti-inflammatory and potentially affect immunity in a positive way,” says Auslander Moreno. And microgreens pack a ton of these nutrients into an easy-to-eat package.

Squinting at your screen? Increase your leafy green intake—which should include microgreens. According to Auslander Moreno, they contain lutein, a phytochemical implicated in vision health.

Research from Frontiers in Plant Science confirms the lutein content in microgreens can help your eyes absorb excess light intensity—which many office workers agree can lead to headaches and migraines.

As part of an overall healthy diet, microgreens might help speed things up in the bathroom. “Any fiber can help reduce constipation,” says Auslander Moreno.

According to Auslander Moreno, the high prebiotic fiber content in microgreens can help nourish the friendly probiotic organisms in your gut. The journal Gut Microbes backs that up: These prebiotic fibers stimulate the growth of intestinal bacteria associated with overall health and wellbeing.

Researchers found that red cabbage microgreens can lower cholesterol and assist in weight loss when consuming an otherwise fatty diet, according to a small study published by The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Just more proof that microgreens are a great addition to an already healthy diet.