Why Fresh Broccoli Microgreens?
Broccoli microgreens are one of the most delicious vegetables. They have a somewhat spicy and crunchy taste. They also provide abundant vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Broccoli microgreens are grown in trays and harvested when the cotyledons have emerged, but the true leaves are still immature.
Fresh broccoli microgreens provide 31 calories, 2.3 grams of protein, and 7 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. In addition, it stands out for its contribution of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and zinc.
Did you know that broccoli microgreens also contain about 260 mg of nitrates? These components neutralize harmful bacteria helping to maintain healthy intestinal flora.
But its properties are not reduced to taste and nutritional value, these small vegetables can improve health in different ways.
The properties of microgreens are given by the contribution of the mentioned nutrients and mainly by a special compound called sulforaphane. It is a sulfur derivative that has proven to have many health benefits. The sulforaphane content is highest in microgreens when compared to their mature analogs.
These are some of the health benefits of broccoli microgreens:
– Potent anticancer action: sulforaphane reduces the number and size of specific cancer cells, such as breast cancer cells. On the other hand, sulforaphane promotes the action of antioxidants and certain enzymes that detoxify the body and eliminate carcinogenic elements.
– Prevent cardiovascular events: Sulfurafan helps reduce inflammation in the endothelial cells of the arteries where atheromas, (accumulation of cholesterol and inflammatory cells) that contribute to the obstruction of the vessels, usually develop. This anti-inflammatory action is related to the inhibition of inflammation thanks to the activation of the Nrf2 protein.
– Help control blood glucose levels: the amount of fiber present in broccoli microgreens helps slow the rate of carbohydrate absorption. This allows glucose from food to reach the blood more slowly, preventing a hyperglycemic spike with a high level of insulin circulating in the blood, leading to hypoglycemia and a hunger attack. In addition to fiber, sulforaphane has been shown to help lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.
– Prevent aging: sulforaphane acts at the cellular level by activating HSP27 proteins, which prevent cellular aging. These proteins act by preventing the so-called photoaging caused by ultraviolet rays. Sulforaphane is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, which are unstable molecules that damage DNA. These molecules are what cause the so-called oxidative stress and a state of chronic low-grade inflammation that is the cause of many of today’s chronic diseases.
– Improve brain function: thanks to its antioxidant mechanism, sulforaphane found in broccoli microgreens, can reduce the deterioration of nerve cells and increase the speed of recovery. The use of vitamin E in parallel with the consumption of broccoli microgreens could further enhance this effect.
Finally, it is important to emphasize that broccoli microgreens provide up to 100 times the content of this compound compared to adult vegetable forms. Therefore, by adding a handful of these microgreens to your favorite salad, you will already be receiving all these benefits.
Microgreen Broccoli Powder
Microgreen Broccoli Powder is a potent concentration of Microgreen Broccoli. As microgreens generally container a higher concentration of nutrients than their adult counterparts, gram-for-gram a powdered microgreen is extremely nutrient potent.
For more information see our Broccoli Microgreen Fact Sheet
Each container caters for one month supply for one person. Of course you can order more than one, however we recommend not ordering more than two at a time as it is always best to have it as fresh as possible. Broccoli Powder is very light. 1 gram is equal to about 1 teaspoon, which is the initial dosage suggestion.
For convenience and different use-cases we offer two consumption variations. The powder is ideally suited to added to smoothies and foods. The capsules are suited for people want to have it every day but don’t want the the potent taste of it. It is also an ideal choice for adding to your daily regime of taking other supplements or for when you are going away and want something convenient.
Note that we are not medical professionals, so we advise you to seek advice from your naturopath to suit your own situation.
Packaging Information:
- The Canister is a vacuum sealed steel container that re-vacuums every time you put the lid back on. This is important for preventing humidity getting to the powder which can rehydrate it.
- The zip lock pouch is intended as a refill pack. If you keep it sealed with a moisture absorber pack inside, it will last a long time, however it will not re-vacuum like the canister does.
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The author and publisher of this article are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions, preparations, or procedures described in this article.
References
Weber C. F. (2017). Broccoli Microgreens: A Mineral-Rich Crop That Can Diversify Food Systems. Frontiers in nutrition, 4, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2017.00007
Li, Y., Zhang, T., Korkaya, H., Liu, S., Lee, H. F., Newman, B., Yu, Y., Clouthier, S. G., Schwartz, S. J., Wicha, M. S., & Sun, D. (2010). Sulforaphane, a dietary component of broccoli/broccoli sprouts, inhibits breast cancer stem cells. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 16(9), 2580–2590. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-09-2937
Ullah M. F. (2015). Sulforaphane (SFN): An Isothiocyanate in a Cancer Chemoprevention Paradigm. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 2(3), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines2030141
Su, X., Jiang, X., Meng, L., Dong, X., Shen, Y., & Xin, Y. (2018). Anticancer Activity of Sulforaphane: The Epigenetic Mechanisms and the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2018, 5438179. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5438179
Bai, Y., Wang, X., Zhao, S., Ma, C., Cui, J., & Zheng, Y. (2015). Sulforaphane Protects against Cardiovascular Disease via Nrf2 Activation. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2015, 407580. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/407580
Axelsson, A. S., Tubbs, E., Mecham, B., Chacko, S., Nenonen, H. A., Tang, Y., Fahey, J. W., Derry, J. M. J., Wollheim, C. B., Wierup, N., Haymond, M. W., Friend, S. H., Mulder, H., & Rosengren, A. H. (2017). Sulforaphane reduces hepatic glucose production and improves glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Science translational medicine, 9(394), eaah4477. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aah4477
Sun, B., Zhang, X., Yin, Y., Sun, H., Ge, H., & Li, W. (2017). Effects of sulforaphane and vitamin E on cognitive disorder and oxidative damage in lead-exposed mice hippocampus at lactation. Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS), 44, 88–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2017.06.004