Microgreens: Emergence as a Superfood for Well-Being and Health Management
摘要
Microgreens have grabbed popularity as superfoods for their exceptional nutritional value, enhanced phytochemicals and bioactive compounds, and health-promoting activities, making them a functional food. These are edible, young seedlings of vegetables and herbs, maturing within 14–21 days, and are rich in minerals, vitamins, and other compounds essential to plants. Various studies have been conducted to demonstrate the potential of microgreens in preventing chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, etc., due to the presence of polyphenols and other secondary metabolites in higher concentrations as compared to mature plants. Microgreens are preferred because of their ease of cultivation in a shorter duration and a minimum requirement of resources. They are becoming a suitable candidate for urban farming with a future approach towards personalized nutrition. In this chapter, nutritional enhancement, cultivation practices, functional benefits, and their emerging purposes in health management have been discussed. The role of microgreens as a superfood is highlighted in different plants and their species, validating their potential in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. With the increase in population and the increasing interest of consumers in healthier, nourished, and balanced diets, the need for microgreens is increasing to address the global health challenges and overall well-being of the population by eradicating malnutrition and feeding every individual on earth.