Microgreen Research

 

1.      1.  USDA Agricultural Research Service

(ACS Study)

  • Study: “Concentrations of Vitamins and Carotenoids in Microgreens” (2012)
  • Lead researcher: Gene Lester
  • Published in: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

See article: https://doi.org/10.1021/jf300459b

Key Findings

  • Microgreens contain significantly higher vitamin concentrations than mature leaves
  • Measured nutrients include:
    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin E
    • Vitamin K
    • Beta-carotene

This is the most cited foundational study behind microgreens nutrition claims.


2. University of Maryland Extension

Publication: Microgreens nutrition summaries

Key Findings

  • Confirms high levels of:
    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin K
    • Antioxidants
  • Notes variation depending on:
    • Light exposure
    • Growing medium
    • Harvest timing

See article: https://agnr.umd.edu/news/mighty-microgreens/


3. Cleveland Clinic

Topic: Microgreens health benefits

Key Points

  • Supports claims that microgreens:
    • Help reduce inflammation
    • Support heart health
    • Provide concentrated nutrients

See article: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-microgreens

4. Oregon State Universtity Linus Pauling Institute 

Topic: Why microgreens are healthy

Key Points

  • Microgreens may contain 4–40× more nutrients than mature greens
  • Rich in:
    • Polyphenols
    • Antioxidants
  • Linked to reduced risk of:
    • Heart disease
    • Chronic illness

See article: https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/nutrient-slowed-cancer-cell-growth-early-stage-breast-cancer#:~:text=A%20number%20of%20studies%20in,Institute%20of%20Environmental%20Health%20Sciences.

5. National Institutes of Health

(NIH)

Not microgreens-specific, but used for nutrient function validation

Supports benefits of:

  • Vitamin C → immune function
  • Vitamin K → bone health
  • Beta-carotene → eye health
  • Sulforaphane → anti-cancer properties

See website: https://www.nih.gov/health-information


Compound-Specific Sources

Sulforaphane (Broccoli / Mustard)

  • Source: Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute
    Findings
  • Supports detox enzymes
  • Anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects


Nitrates (Arugula)

  • Source: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
    Findings
  • Improves blood flow
  • Supports cardiovascular health

Anthocyanins (Red Cabbage)

  • Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    Findings
  • Supports heart health
  • Strong antioxidant effects

NOTE

  • Exact “per ounce” values are not standardized across all microgreens
  • Nutrients vary based on:
    • Seed quality
    • Light intensity
    • Harvest day (huge factor)
  • Most published data is:
    • Per 100g
    • Lab-specific batches

Scaled estimates based on USDA-backed data