Pea Microgreens
Peas are a common vegetable, grown and consumed in almost every corner of the globe. While you’re probably very familiar with peas and the countless recipes they’re used in, you’ve probably never tried frilly pea microgreens in a salad or healthy blended smoothie.
The sprouts of peas are like other microgreens in the way that they are nutritionally dense and come with several notable health benefits. Pea microgreens, are the young leaves and shoots that sprout from the seeds found within legume pods. Every pea is a seed, and every pea can sprout to form new legume plant.
Freshly harvested pea sprouts are rich in vitamins and minerals. A single serving of 100g of pea microgreens is low in calories and relatively high in protein. Take a look at the complete nutritional profile below, including the recommended daily allowance (RDA) where applicable.
One cup of pea shoots provides about 35% the Daily Value of vitamin C and 15% the DV of vitamin A. In comparison, this is seven times as much vitamin C as blueberries and four times as much vitamin A as tomatoes. They are also an excellent source of vitamin K, providing 66% the DV from a one-cup serving.
Nutritional Benefits
| Vitamin A Vitamin K Vitamin C 0g. Total Fat (Incl. trans fat and saturated fat) 0g. Cholesterol 0g. Sodium 8g. Carbohydrates 3g / 16% RDA. Dietary Fiber 0g. Sugars 2g. Protein 2% RDA Vitamin A 50% RDA Vitamin C 4% RDA Calcium 10% RDA Iron |
Health Benefits
| CANCER PREVENTION Pea shoots are a great source of three chemoprotective agents: folate, antioxidants, and carotene. Folate helps produce and maintain cells and protects against DNA damage. Antioxidants help the body fight free radical damage, commonly associated with high cancer risk. Carotenes help inhibit antioxidant activity and are commonly associated with increased cancer prevention. |
| HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS One cup of pea shoots provides about 35% the daily value of vitamin C and 15% the DV of vitamin A. In comparison, this is seven times as much vitamin C as blueberries and four times as much vitamin A as tomatoes. They are also an excellent source of vitamin K, providing 66% the DV from a one-cup serving. |
| ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Pea shoots are dense with the antioxidants and phytonutrients needed to support the body’s complex inflammation system. |
| DIABETES While many studies point to the many benefits green peas can have for people suffering from diabetes, there is less research to conclude that pea shoots provide as much protection. However, pea shoots contain many of the nutrients that can help keep blood sugar levels low as well as great antioxidant support, which is considered essential in supporting people with type two diabetes and lowering the risk of developing diabetes. |
| HEART HEALTH Though large-scale research on the relationship between pea shoots and cardiovascular health remains unavailable, the support these leaf greens provide the inflammation system and immune system of the body, as well as the high levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients they offer indicate that pea shoots may lend a wide range of cardiovascular benefits. Inflammation and antioxidants alone help protect against heart disease. |
| WEIGHT LOSS Pea shoots have an outstanding nutrient to calorie ratio and offer a good amount of dietary fiber, which helps control body weight and regulate the metabolism. Though they may not directly induce weight loss, they remain a great addition to an effective weight loss program. |