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Microlytes What they are and whether they are worth eating

Homepage Articles Microlytes What they are and whether they are worth eating

Microlytes What they are and whether they are worth eating

Microgreens are a relatively new product on the Polish food market. They are gaining increasing popularity and certainly deserve attention not only for culinary reasons, but also for health reasons.

Table of Contents

1. What are microliths?

Microlives are nothing more than young leaf seeds of edible vegetables. They are more advanced in the form of a sprout in terms of growth. We call sprouted seed the sprout seed, and by microlives we call the seed the stalk itself and the young, the first couple of leaves, without the seed. Microlives also grow on a different floor, usually in the ground, and the sprouts are grown on wet water or in a specially designed sprout. However, sprouts need to grow for days, while the microlivism requires up to 2 weeks. This exotic variety of edibly green vegetables has become a popular alternative to the traditional vegetable crops, which have become popular in the past few years.

2. The nutritional value of the micro-leaf

However, studies have shown that they contain significantly more vitamins and minerals than fully developed leafy vegetables or their seeds (taking into account the micronutrient content per 100 g of product) (S. A. Mir et al. 2017). The difference for some microelements can be as high as 40 times (U. Naidoo 2021).

3. Bioactive compounds contained in micro-leafs

In addition to vitamins and mineral ingredients, microlists are also a rich source of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants such as beta-carotene (vitamin A pro-vitamin). They also contain many substances from the polyphenolic group, including flavonoids, stilbenes and phytoestrogens. These compounds have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effects, protect against the harmful action of free oxygen sources.

4. Effects of microlilyl consumption on health

Microlytes, which are classified as dark green leafy vegetables, are one of the most nutritionally valuable. They are low in calories but high in micronutrients. Due to their high concentration of vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds, they can be classified in the category of superfoods. In addition, they are considered to be functional foods, i.e. not only fulfilling nutritional functions but also having other health benefits.

5. Processing and storage of micro-leafs

Microlives are already grown on a large scale, but they can also be produced at home in shallow trunks or donkeys in the clay soil. The seeds of microlives can be purchased in garden stores or via the Internet. After planting, they should be watered regularly. They are suitable for consumption after about a week or two after sprouting. They grow longer than sprouts, which makes them lighter and greener. They're harvested just above the roots and eaten like fresh salads.

6. It's a set of rules using microletters

Microlytes, like ripe vegetables, can be used as a sandwich additive, a base for green salads, a decoration for main dishes or additives. They break the flavor of fish, eggs and other vegetables greatly. They taste and look best in raw form, but they can also be added to hot dishes, such as Asian cuisine.

7. A salad with baked beans, feta cheese and micro-leafs

Ingredients (portion): medium boiled peas (about 120 g), 3 thin slices of feta cheese (30 g) a handful of micro-lives or broccoli micro-leaf blends (20 g); one teaspoon of olive oil (5 g),?? 3 s. Italian nuts (12 g).

8. Stir fries with Chinese vegetables, rice noodles and sunflower micro-leafs

Ingredients (2 servings): 1⁄2 large pack of frozen Chinese vegetables (350 g), a small pack of rice noodles (100 g), a spoonful of rapeseed oil (10 g) 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (20 g), a single chicken breast (150 g) or a bunch of smoked tofu (180 g); two handfuls of sunflower parsley (40 g).

9. It's a white vegetable cream soup with micro-leafs

Ingredients (2 servings): small head of cauliflower (300 g), parsley (100 g) 1⁄4 of celery (100 g); a slice of porridge (100 g), 2 small potatoes (100g), 2 cups of broth or water (500 ml), 2 tablespoons of micro-lives (40 g), optional olive oil spoon (10 g), spices e.g. pepper, peppers, salt, cinnamon flour.

10. Summary

Microlytes are characterized by high concentrations of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which makes them beneficial to human health.
Source

Galieni A. et al., Sprouts and microgreens: Trends, opportunities, and horizons for novel research, „Agronomy” 2020, 10(9), 1424.
Mir S.A. et al., Microgreens: Production, shelf life, and bioactive components, „Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition” 2017, 57(12), 2730–2736.
Naidoo U., Dieta dla zdrowia psychicznego, Łódź 2021, 183–184.
Paradiso V.M. et al., Nutritional characterization and shelf-life of packaged microgreens, „Food & Function” 2018, 9(11), 5629–5640.
Pinto E. et al., Comparison between the mineral profile and nitrate content of microgreens and mature lettuces, „Journal of Food Composition and Analysis” 2015, 37, 38–43.
Xiao Z. et al., Microgreens of Brassicaceae: Mineral composition and content of 30 varieties, „Journal of Food Composition and Analysis” 2016, 49, 87–93.