Microgreens and sprouts, two innovative functional foods for a healthy diet in Km 0

ABSTRACT

The production of micro vegetables or microgreens and of sprouts is an interesting alternative for the optimization of vegetable consumption admitting great diversity and feasibility at a family as well as a commercial level, and whose consumption provides multiple benefits. Both options have productive potential for entrepreneurs, especially in the Km 0 due to immediate consumption. These productive alternatives contain several times more nutrients than their adult counterparts and can be obtained by sustainable production means, as in the case of microgreens in the presence of light or sprouts in darkness. Both foster greater nutrient bioavailability which helps to increase immunity, decrease vulnerability to diseases and contribute to a better physical and mental development of the population. In this sense, in the current global and national socioeconomical and sanitary context due to Covid-19 pandemics where the optimization of consumption of food which promotes optimal nutrition becomes a challenge, this review article is carried out in order to show a panorama of the peculiarities and benefits of consumption as well as the potential market, especially as Km 0 products, of two innovative alternatives of production (microgreens and sprouts) which admit great biodiversity and to contribute to promote their production and consumption.