Four reasons to start eating micro broccoli

Broccoli. Since the dawn of time, broccoli has been one of those vegetables you either love or hate, with no in-between. Some people find the texture odd; others love the crunchy bite of the stem.

Apart from looking like tiny trees, broccoli deserves more credit than it’s given for its powerful nutritional punch and the variety of ways it can be prepared. But transportation of vegetables, how you cook your broccoli and even long-term storage can all result in a loss of nutrients, so by the time the broccoli makes its way in to your body, it’s not quite as powerful as a freshly grown crop.

Luckily, broccoli microgreens are an excellent alternative, and have a range of other benefits that’ll have you incorporating it into your daily diet in no time.

1. Supports cardiovascular health

Inflammation of the arteries is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease and illness. Both sulforaphane and glucoraphanin are found in broccoli microgreens, and studies have shown a potential to reduce the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis.

2. Boosts brain function

Who doesn’t love food that not only tastes delicious, but can also improve brain functionality? The high amounts of vitamin E and sulforaphane in broccoli microgreens have been linked to decreased oxidative damage and improved cognitive deterioration in baby mice that were exposed to lead. Human studies are currently underway.

3. Anti-aging properties

Aging is a natural part of life but a powerful combination of nutrients and vitamins in broccoli microgreens have been linked to slowing the ageing process. Vitamins A and C found in the vegetable can help eliminate wrinkles and age spots while sulforaphane activates heat-shock proteins in the body, the way a sauna does.

Heat-shock proteins help anti-ageing and improve brain function. A study by the US National Academy for Sciences demonstrated sulforaphane mobilise defences that protect against cell damage from UV lighting.

4. Anti-carcinogenic properties

Micro broccoli has an excellent source of Glucobrassicin compared to its mature counterpart, with a 10:1 ratio per 100 grams of dry weight. Pair that with sulforaphane and you have yourself a powerhouse micro-veggie able to put up defences against cancer.

Sulforaphane can decrease the number and size of cancer cells to make it harder for the cancer cells to spread. It also encourages the release of antioxidants other detoxifying enzymes that are able to neutralise cancer-causing elements like benzene.

These four health benefits are just the skimming the surface of what microgreens like broccoli can do, and the research is ongoing. While the change to broccoli microgreens may be small, it will make a giant difference on both your health and the environment, as micro-farming facilities like April Sun’s utilise 95% less water than in traditional farming!.

Explore our range of stockists nearest you to start adding microgreens into your diet now or order online today.