The Surprisingly Big Health Benefits of Microgreens

Microgreens are cropping up on sandwiches and salads everywhere-and I'm not complaining. Not only are they totes adorbs, but they’re super healthy, too.

“Microgreens look like little sprouts and are a type of vegetable," says, Monica Auslander Moreno, RD with RSP Nutrition. "There are actually around 60 different varieties.” Specifically, they’re seedlings harvested in the primary stage of the vegetable’s growth-and can come from plants like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and others.

The best part? Microgreens can be up 40 times more potent in phytochemicals than their mature counterparts, according to a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

And microgreens live up to their name, in that they’re so teeny-tiny you can incorporate them into a variety of dishes without even noticing. “Mix them into a smoothie," says Auslander Moreno. "Or grind them up with a food processor or blender, then fold into baked goods, pancakes, or oatmeal."

So watch out spinach and kale...these tiny greens pack a big nutrient-filled punch.