All About Microgreens

At Morton’s Farm we grow our microgreens using certified organic seed and OMRI certified organic growing mix.  It’s important to us that we use organic materials for our microgreens since you are consuming a seedling.  Another growing habit that’s important to us is to produce our microgreens using natural sunlight, not grow lights.  Natural sunlight adds to the nutritional benefit that you are receiving by eating our microgreens.

Microgreens offer you a very nutritiously dense, very delicious addition to a salad, sandwich, pizza, egg omelet, and more!

 

Some facts about microgreen varieties!

Sunflower

Health Benefits:

  • Sunflower Microgreens are a perfect source of complete protein. In fact, they are considered to be the most balanced of all the sources of essential amino acids, helping to repair muscle tissue and aid in enzymatic functions in the body.
  • They help build our skeletal, muscular, and neurological systems.
  • They activate every cell of the immune system and help to keep gut bacteria healthy, thus improving our ability to fight disease.
  • They boost fertility as they contain high amounts of zinc. Zinc is a well-researched mineral that is essential for the development of sperm.
  • Sunflower microgreens are a nutritional powerhouse packed with vitamins A, B complex, D, and E; they also contain minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.
  • Sunflower microgreens are high in B vitamins, especially folate. Folate is a necessary B vitamin for pregnant women. Folate helps to protect babies from developing neural tube defects (NTDs). The combination of B vitamins also assists in the mother’s circulation as well as aids in stress relief. In fact, sunflower microgreens are rich in all of the nutrients that are important during pregnancy such as iron, calcium, essential fats, and folate.
  • Sunflower microgreens are a rich source of lecithin which helps to eliminate accumulated deposits in arterial walls, and break down fatty acids into an easily water soluble form.
  • They are rich in chlorophyll which benefits many functions within the body, including building blood supply, revitalizing tissue, calming inflammation, activating enzymes, and deodorizing the body.
  • Sunflower microgreens are a natural expectorant for chest congestion: In Ayurvedic medicine, these microgreens are thought to have the ability to encourage clearance of the lungs. Natural expectorants may also be used as a preventative measure against lower respiratory infections to deter the invasion of pathogens.
  • Boost your antioxidant capacity with sunflower microgreens: They contain high amounts of vitamin E. Vitamin E works synergistically with vitamin C and selenium to reduce blood pressure, increase the elasticity of arteries and prevent heart disease.
  • Sunflower microgreens are low in calories and high in nutrition, making them ideal for any natural and healthy fat loss program.

Pea Microgreens

  • Seven times more Vitamin C than blueberries
  • Eight times more folic acid than bean microgreens
  • Four times more Vitamin A than tomatoes
  • Up to 69% of high quality bio-available protein
  • Pea microgreens and sunflower microgreens are delicious, easy to add to your daily meals and snacks and, due to their incredibly high quality protein content, help to control your blood sugar levels and reduce food cravings. There isn’t any good reason not to add these microgreens to every single salad or side dish that you prepare.

The following table provided by Vitacress (UK)

Nutrient Per 100g* %RDA
Vitamin C (mg) 69 115%
Vitamin A (µg) 407 51%
Folic Acid (µg) 57 29%
Calories 18 **
Protein (g) 3.1 **
Carbohydrates (g) 0.2 **
   Of which sugars (g) 0.2 **
Fat (g) 0.6 **
  Of which saturates (g) 0.1 **
Fibre (g) 2.0 **
Sodium (g) 0.02 **

* Data analysis commissioned by Vitacress from an independent laboratory

** No EC RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance)

 

Radish Microgreens

  • Radish is a root vegetable and ancient food crop that belongs to the same family as cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels microgreens.
  • Radish microgreens taste just like radish! And, even though they are extremely low in calories they are rich in beneficial nutrients, such as enzymes, antioxidants, protein, minerals, and vitamins.  They provide a series of fullness after eating.
  • Radish and broccoli microgreens contain high amounts of antioxidants that have been shown to be effective against several forms of cancer.
  • Nutritional Information:
    • Vitamins A, B, C, E, K
    • Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc
    • Amino Acids, Trace Elements, Carotene, Chlorophyll
    • Antioxidants
    • Protein: 30%
  • Traditionally used for:
    • Weight loss
    • Energy
    • Eyes
    • Detox
    • Cancer
    • Digestion
    • Liver & Gallbladder Function
    • PMS
    • Menopause

Alfalfa Microgreens

  • Alfalfa microreens are one of the most popular, nutritious, and delicious seeds with a sweet nut-like flavor, and a mild crunch. They are a lot safer, less expensive, and incredibly more nutritious and fun to eat than factory-field, chemicalized lettuce.
  • Alfalfa microgreens are one of the most important sources of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are beneficial compounds in plant foods that can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
  • Alfalfa microgreens have also been shown to reduce LDL Cholesterol
  • Alfalfa microgreens are a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and juices, or as a garnish on foods such as hummus.
  • Nutritional Information:
    • Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K
    • Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc
    • Carotene, Chlorophyll, Amino Acids, Trace Elements
    • Protein: 70%
  • Traditionally Used for:
    • Cholesterol
    • Heart Disease
    • Cancer
    • Osteoporosis
    • Weight loss
    • Eyes
    • Anemia
    • Hair loss
    • Fatigue
    • Impotence
    • Kidneys
    • Liver
    • Detox

“Strengthens blood, which in turn builds strong tissue, reduces edema, and strengthens muscle and bone.”  Dr. Brian Clement on Alfalfa sprout juice.

Broccoli Microgreens

Broccoli microgreens are famous for their antioxidant content.  Cruciferous vegetables are known to contain phyto-nutrients that inhibit the development of cancer.  Sprouted broccoli seeds are several dozen times more effective in combating cancer than other vegetables in this family.  In fact, broccoli microgreens can provide the body with up to 100 times the cancer fighting sulfurophane than mature broccoli.  This means that you easily get as much benefit from 1 ounce of broccoli microgreens as you would if you ate 3 – 5 pounds of fully grown broccoli (© Johns Hopkins University 1997).  The scientific research supporting the use and benefits of broccoli microgreens is simply incredible.

  • Broccoli microgreens: An exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens.
  • Sulforaphane, a dietary component of broccoli/broccoli microgreens, inhibits breast cancer stem cells.
  • Targeting cancer stem cells with sulforaphane, a dietary component from broccoli and broccoli microgreens.
  • Broccoli microgreens Beverage Enhances Detoxification of Air Pollutants in Clinical Trial in China.
  • Chemical derived from Broccoli Microgreens shows promise in treating autism. Improvements were seen within four weeks and generally persisted during treatment duration.

Broccoli microgreens are a great addition to sandwiches, salads, juice, eggs, or as a garnish on foods such as hummus.

Nutritional Information

  • Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K
  • Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc
  • Carotene, Chlorophyll, Trace elements, Amino Acids
  • Antioxidnts
  • Protein: 35%

Traditionally Used For

  • Cancer treatment & prevention
  • Immune system
  • Heart disease and atherosclorosis
  • Allergy and asthma
  • Elimination
  • Detox

Wheatgreen

  • Food is Medicine

Wheatgrass juice contains impressive antioxidant properties, higher than that of any other vegetable or extract.  As an example, wheatgrass is the top food source of superoxide dismutase.  SOD is an “anti-aging enzyme” that scientists, funded by pharaceutical compnaies, are hard at work developing supplements by extracting SOD and its precursor molecules from wheat microgreens.  Predictably, nothing created in a lab has shown to be as effective as 100% pure wheatgrass juice with all of its nutritional co-factors intact, proving once again that food is our best medicine.

Another well studied component of wheatgrass juice is the natural plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA).  Researchers at Virginia Tech have confirmed that abscisic acid helps fight inflammation and can be used for the treatment of disease.  Abscisic acid (ABA) has been shown to be a viable weapon against metabolic syndrome and diabetes, as well as inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.  A 2011 article published in Biochemical Pharmacology summarized the research on this plant hormone by stating that “ABA is an endogenous immune regulator in animals and has potential medicinal applications or several human diseases.”  Scientists are hoping to develop new classes of drugs based on these findings.  However, thanks to nature, we already have these drugs available to us today via a proper plant based diet, and the juice of young shoots of grass.

 

“Until man duplicates a blade of grass, nature can laugh at his so-called scientific knowledge.” Thomas Edison

 

  • The 18 Wonders of Wheatgrass:
    • One of the richest sources of vitamins A and C
    • Contains a full, balanced spectrum of readily assimilated B vitamins, including laetrile (B17), which has been created with selectively destroying certain cancer cells without affecting normal cells
    • Contains high quality calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, and potassium in a balanced ratio
    • provides organic iron to the blood, which improves our circulation
    • contains 92 of the 102 trace minerals recognized as available in plants
    • the most effective form of chlorophyll therapy
    • assists in reducing blood pressure
    • is similar to the chemical molecular structure of human red blood cells, thereby enhancing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen to every cell of the body
    • assists in eliminating drug deposits from the body and purifies the liver
    • helps wounds to heal faster
    • counteracts metabolic toxins in the body
    • combats blood sugar problems
    • is credited with halting both hair loss and hair greying
    • aids in relieving constipation
    • increases resistance to radiation and eliminates the symptoms of radiation poisoning
    • acts as a disinfectant by killing bacteria in the blood, lymph, and tissues
    • is considered a complete food because it contains all of the necessary amino acids for the human body

 

Brian Clement, Director of the Hippocrates Health Institute

 

  • Studies demonstrating the healing powers of wheatgrass juice:
    • Antioxidation: Evaluation off the antioxidant activity of wheat grass (Triticum aestivum L.) S.D. Kulkami, et al. Phytothereapy Research, March 2006, 20(3): 218-27.  Key Finding:  The ORAC value (capacity to absorb free radicals) of wheatgrass was found to be higher than those reported or many natural extracts or vegetables.  Wheatgrass also significantly reduced fat cells in rat liver mitochondria.
    • Inflammatory conditions: Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Ben-Ayre E, Goldin E, Wengrower D, Stamper A, Kohn R, Berry E, Scand J Gastroenterol.  2002 Apri; 37(4):444-9.  Key finding: “Treatment with wheatgrass was associated with significant reductions in the overall disease activity index and in the severity of rectal bleeeding.  Wheatgrass juice appeared effective and safe as a single or adjuvant treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis.”
    • Anemia: Wheat Grass Juice Reduces Transfusion Requirement in Patients with Thalassemia Major: A Pilot Study.  Marwaha RK, Bansal D, Kaur S, Trehan A.  Ind Pediatrics. 2004 July 17; 41:716-720.  Key finding: “Blood transfusion requirements fell by 25% or more in 50% of patients with a decrease of 40% or more in three patients … We conclude that wheat grass juice has the potential to lower transfusion requirements in thalassemics”.
    • Anemia: Antioxidant Activity of Wheat Grass and Impact of Supplementing Grass Exxtract on Anaemics.  Jaya, M. S., Gayathri, S. Biomed.  2009 Vol. 4 No. 3 pp. 262-268.  Key finding:  The mean scavenging activity was higher for wheat grass in comparison with other conventional green leafy vegetables.  The study also investigated the effectiveness of wheat grass juice on the activity of certain antioxidant vitamins and enzymes.  Supplementing wheat grass juice (200 ml/day) to anaemics showed a significant increase (p<0.01) on serum indices of certain constituents.  Overall it would seem that the protective effect of wheat grass can be attributed to antioxidant constituents, including vitamin C, Polyphenols, Chlorophyll …
    • Cancer: Administering wheatgrass juice in supportive care of terminally ill cancer patients.  Basak J, Bhattacharjee C, Dey S, Adhikari S, Mukhopadhyay A. Annals of Oncoclogy.  2008 July:19 (Suppl 5). Key Finding: “Wheatgrass juice was used for anemic patients to increase hemoglobin levels.  We concluded that wheatgrass is an effective alternative to blood transfusion.  Its use in terminally ill cancer patients should be encouraged.”
    • Cancer: Wheat Grass Juice may improve Hematological toxicity Related to Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study.  Bar-Sela, G, M. Tsalic, G. Fried and H. Goldberg.  Nutrition & Cancer.  2007 581:43-48.  Key finding:  the thirty women in the study who drank 2 ounces of wheat grass juice daily during the course of their chemo treatments had one third the amount of marrow related toxicity when compared to the other 30 women.  This resulted in this group being three times more likely to complete their full chemo regime without dose reduction or early cessation, or without the use of expensive GCSF (granulocyte colony stimulation factor) medications which themselves have significant side effects and very high costs.  There was no reduction in the effectiveness of the chemotherapy on the suppression of the cancer, when compared to the control group.”
    • Cancer: Bovine cartilage, coenzyme Q10, and wheat grass therapy for primary peritoneal cancer.  Forgionne GA. J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Feb;11(1):161-5.  Key finding: A cae report published in medical literature concerns an 89 year old woman who was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer, a form of cancer which is rapidly fatal.  The patient refused chemotherapy and opted instead for nutritional therapy that included wheat grass.  The result was a complete remission of her cancer four years after treatment.
    • Chronic disease: A pilot study on wheat grass juice for its phytochemical, nutritional and therapeutic potential on chronic diseases. Chauhan, M. IJCS 2014; 2(4): 27-34.  Key finding: Widespread data from a number of studies has made known the multitude effects of Wheatgrass is known to help diminish fatigue, improve sleep, increases strength, naturally regulate blood pressure and blood sugar, support weight loss, improve digestion and elimination, support healthy skin, teeth, eyes, muscles and joints, improve the function of our heart-lungs and reproductive organs, heal ulcers and skin sores, slow cellular aging, improve mental function, and is beneficial in arthritis and muscle cramping, thalassemia, hemo-lytic anemia, cancer, asthma, allergy, inflammatory bowel disease and detoxification.  Thus, it should be made part of daily dietary intake in order to explore its utmost benefits.
    • A study on wheat grass and its Nutritional Value. Mujoriya R. Food Science & Quality Management.  ISSN 2224-6088. Vol 2, 2011.  Key findings: Wheat grass is a humble weed that is a powerhouse of nutrients and vitamins for the human body – Wheatgrass juice will provide you with more energy by fulfilling nutritional deficiencies and by removing wastes that clog your cells, blood, tissues and organs – Wheat grass juice has chlorophyll that neutralizes infections, heals wounds, overcomes inflammations and gets rid of parasitic infections — The three most important effects of wheat grass on the human body are:  blood purification, liver detoxification and colon cleansing — Wheat grass juice contains all the nutrients the body requires and is considered a complete food — Wheat grass therapy is recommended for patients suffering from Constipation, Hypertension, Diabetes, Bronchitis, Insomnia, Eczema, Sterility, Hemorrhage, Obesity and Flatulence.  It is also useful in the treatment of cancer — Regular intake of wheat grass juice works wonders especially in cases of anemia that do not respond well to other treatments.

* There are many anecdotal accounts of women who defeated breast cancer while on wheat grass juice.  One such example is Eydie Mae Hunsberger who recovered from what appeared to be fatal breast cancer.  In her book, How I Conquered Cancer Naturally, she attributes her recovery and remission to wheat grass juice and a living foods diet.