Flora Family: How Microgreens Are A Superfood
Itsy's Science Corner
Itsy Cella Flora here! 🌱 Let’s talk superfoods:
Itsy: "What do you think the definition of superfood is?"
Audience: (Silence... more silence, .....) "Ummm, I guess a food that is chock-full of all the good stuff our bodies need?"
Itsy: "That would be proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The human body needs all of them. Try again. What do you think of?"
Audience: "Chia seed pudding and blueberries are all over my social media feeds. Them and cottage cheese."
Itsy: "Yes, those are foods that are packed with polyphenols, rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, and full of fiber that naturally lend themselves to healthy food choices. Try again."
Audience: (Silence... more silence, .....) "Ummm, I don't remember them being mentioned in health class."
Itsy: "That's right! 😵💫 Because it is not a food science term. There is not a scientific definition for superfoods. It is a marketing term!"
Audience: (Gasp, .....) "What? 🤯"
Itsy: "Believe it or not, the term was first used in the early 20th century by the United Fruit Company as a marketing strategy to promote bananas!" 🍌
Superfoods
I guess the term "Superfood" proved to be useful and over time it has come to be understood as a nutrient-dense food that provides health benefits. There are even some scientific reasons for them to be determined as superfoods.
Here are some of them:
Blueberries: Packed with anthocyanins, blueberries help reduce inflammation, improve memory, and support heart health.
Chia Seeds: Packed with fiber, omega-3s, and antioxidants, helping with digestion, heart health, and sustained energy.
Avocados: Loaded with monounsaturated fats, which support heart health, brain function, and skin health. They also provide fiber and potassium.
Turmeric: Contains curcumin, a powerful compound that helps reduce inflammation and may support joint health and brain function.
Greek yogurt: Packed with probiotics, protein, and calcium, supporting gut health, digestion, and muscle recovery.
Dark leafy greens: Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, plus minerals like iron and calcium. They support immune function, bone health, and brain health.
How Microgreens Are A Superfood
Brass Flora (pictured above) represents Tasty Little Leaves Microgreens Superfood Mix. I sooo love my Uncle Brass. Isn't he such a ham! 🙄
Although, he isn't wrong. It is a good time to power-up with microgreens. How are microgreens a superfood? There are oh so many reasons, but here are some:
High Nutrient Density: Studies show that microgreens contain 4 to 40 times more vital nutrients (like vitamins C, E, and K) than mature leaves of the same plants.
Abundant Minerals: They capture elevated levels of essential minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper.
Powerful Antioxidants: They are rich in health-promoting phytochemicals such as polyphenols, beta-carotene, and glucosinolates.
Disease Prevention: Antioxidants help protect cells from damage, lower inflammation, and reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
All of the reasons above are good reasons to include superfoods in your daily diet. And this is not an exhaustive list. Moderate exercise, plenty of quality sleep, and staying hydrated, are all healthy lifestyle choices as well.
Being healthy is a day-by-day choice you have to settle in your mind. There is no one activity or food that is going to make you a healthy person overnight.
It takes time, showing up, and being consistent. Getting all of the essential nutrients in makes it much easier for your body to do what it was made to do. That is heal itself.
So, head over to our microgreens page to place your order today.
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