Why You Need Sunflower Microgreens in Your Apocalyptic Toolbox
The pandemic has officially made me lose my mind. Chronic hand washing has become my full-time job. Friday nights are spent playing board games with my parents. The end is not in sight.
As crazy making as all of this is, it’s important to take steps to keep ourselves healthy. With the looming threat of infection, our bodies need our attention more than ever. How can we support our immune system?
I’m going to put you onto nature’s ultimate pandemic defense: sunflower microgreens.
DID YOU SAY “SUNFLOWER”?
Yes! Sunflower Microgreens are edible- and delicious!
“Sunnies” are harvested after seven or eight days, when the plant has the most concentrated value of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This makes Sunnies a vital tool to assist your immune system. The contents of these sweet, juicy microgreens can help our bodies combat Coronavirus, pollution and any other apocalypse coming our way.
According to ancient Ayurveda, sunflower microgreens are a natural decongestant, and are extremely effective as prevention against upper respiratory infections.
Antioxidant rich Sunflower Microgreens are packed with the goods that “help your body ward off infection when you are exposed to a virus... [and can also] significantly reduce the duration and severity of symptoms and the length (days) of the illness”1
GOT VITAMINS?
Sunflower Microgreens are rich in a variety of vitamins that support the immune system. Sunflower Microgreens are particularly rich in Vitamin C, an immunity powerhouse.2 The antioxidant value of Vitamin C, normally found in high calorie orange juice, is essential for your immune system to function and thrive.
Sunnies are also a great source of Vitamin E, which has been “found to be very effective in the prevention and reversal of various disease complications due to its function as an antioxidant, its role in anti-inflammatory processes, its inhibition of platelet aggregation and its immune-enhancing activity.”3 To simplify that into human-speak, Vitamin E can be essential for those with preexisting health conditions, who may be more susceptible to infections than others.
While we’re all staying inside, Vitamin D is a rare resource. A Vitamin D deficiency is proven to cause infections and immune system disorders4. Luckily for flower fans, Sunnies have a high concentration of Vitamin D, so you don’t have to leave the house if you aren’t feeling it. Just kidding, of course…
Vitamin A, known commonly as “retinol”, is essential for our vision. That’s not a surprise to many of us, but did you know it’s essential for your immune system too? The Vitamin A content found in Sunnies “protects against infections”, according to studies.5
BUT WAIT- THERE’S MORE
In addition to the plethora of vitamins and antioxidants, Sunflower Microgreens have a high concentration of Calcium and Zinc.Calcium is widely known for its bone strengthening properties, but Calcium has immunity benefits as well. Calcium has been proven “one of the most important minerals for our immune system. This is true not only for viruses and bacterial infections. When we have a calcium deficiency, we are generally more prone to severe illness and death by those illnesses.”6 If you’re anything like me, the old-school recommendation of three glasses of cow’s milk a day is just not going to happen. I have nothing against dairy, I just can’t do it. Sunflower Microgreens also prove to be a low calorie source of Calcium.
Of course, we can’t forget Zinc. Common in veggies and particularly high in these sweet little Sunnies, Zinc is essential for combatting infections. Like Vitamin E, “a zinc deficiency at the time of an infection…could be damaging or even deadly”7 Those with preexisting health concerns will benefit from a diet rich in Zinc and other minerals found in these delicious, crunchy little microgreens.
ANTIOXIDANTS AND THE APOCALYPSE
Much like I discussed in the previous blog post, “Five Reasons You Need to Eat Your Purples!”, antioxidants are essential to offset toxic environmental factors.8 I certainly recommend you give that post a read, as purple plants are proven particularly rich in antioxidants. If you want something a little crunchier, give the Sunnies a try! Much like purple plants, GGG’s Sunflower Microgreens have a high content of antioxidants that buffer the effects of our changing environment.
CONCLUSION
Not only are Sunflower Microgreens sweet and juicy, giving a snap to every dish, but they provide your diet with vitamins and minerals essential for your immunity. Try them in chicken salad for a nice crunch or eat them by the handful! I like to use them as a lettuce substitution. Unlike of a soggy piece of romaine, Sunnies never dampen a sandwich.
Play around with Sunflower Microgreens- your immune system will thank you!
And of course, wear a mask!
SOURCES
1Pradelli, Carl. “How Antioxidants Help You Avoid Getting Sick and Reduce Symptoms of Illness.” NatureCity, NatureCity, 15 Oct. 2007, www.naturecity.com/blogs/p/how-antioxidants-help-you-avoid-getting-sick-and-reduce-symptoms-of-illness.
2 “Vitamin C.” NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 27 Feb. 2020, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/.
3Rizvi, Saliha, et al. “The Role of Vitamin e in Human Health and Some Diseases.” Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, May 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997530/.
4 “Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Oct. 2019, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15050-vitamin-d--vitamin-d-deficiency.
5Johnson, Larry E. “Vitamin A Deficiency - Disorders of Nutrition.” Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, Oct. 2019, www.merckmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/vitamins/vitamin-a-deficiency.
6Holland, Jamie. “Calcium-Arguably the Most Important Mineral for Our Immune System.” Lakewood Community Acupuncture, Lakewood Community Acupuncture, 20 Apr. 2020, lakewoodacupuncture.org/2020/04/20/calcium-immunity/.
7“Scientists Explore How Zinc Fights Off Infection.” MedicineNet, MedicineNet, 8 Feb. 2013, www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=167652.
8Minich, Deanna M. “A Review of the Science of Colorful, Plant-Based Food and Practical Strategies for ‘Eating the Rainbow.’” Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, Hindawi, 2 June 2019, www.hindawi.com/journals/jnme/2019/2125070/.
