Science Confirms - You Really Should Eat Your Brassica

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have determined your Mom was right. You should eat your Brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage and 27 additional varieties of Brassica microgreens. That declaration comes following the identification of phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals in all members of the Brassica family that are important to our health.

Microgreens are the young seedlings of vegetables and herbs. They are harvested with the seed's original leaves intact, very soon after these first true leaves emerge. The Brassica microgreens analyzed in this study included arugula, broccoli, kale, radish, red cabbage and wasabi.

Essential minerals are a class of nutrients important for human health that are obtained from dietary sources. There are two groups of these essential minerals: microelements (also known as "trace elements," such as iron, zinc, copper and manganese) and macroelements (such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium).

These elements play crucial roles in various biological processes for both plants and animals. In humans, deficiencies can cause metabolic disorders and organ damage leading to diseases and even death.

Luo and her research team found that mineral concentrations in microgreens varied by species and variety. The most abundant macroelement found in the microgreen samples was potassium, followed by phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sodium. Potassium values were highest in wasabi microgreens and lowest in daikon radish microgreens. Savoy cabbage microgreens had the highest calcium levels.