Broccoli shoots have thin white stems topped with small dark green leaves, and are more delicate than sunflower or pea shoots.  They have the distinct flavor of their mature floret counterparts, and are a delicious addition to salads, sandwiches, wraps, omelettes, scrambles, smoothies, casseroles, or any other dish.  Their distinctive flavor and delicate texture make them popular with children who might be not enjoy the larger broccoli crowns. 

Broccoli shoots are a popular microgreen due to their delicious taste and extremely nutritional value.  Research shows that they have up to 40 times more vitamins and minerals than their mature plant counterparts that you typically buy at the grocery store.  They are rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, carotene, chlorophyll and amino acids. 

Broccoli microgreens are also rich in sulforaphane, a powerful antioxidant.  Sulforaphane assists in fighting inflammation, preventing cancer, improving heart health, and facilitating digestion. 

Broccoli shoots are high in protein which serves to protect vision, fight against cancer, diabetes, revitalize tissue, calm inflammation, activate enzymes, and detoxify the body. They are also rich in:

Vitamin A – a powerful anti-oxidant essential for vision and for maintaining healthy mucosa and skin, protects eyes from night blindness and age-related decline of eyesight, may reduce risk of certain cancers, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cervical, lung and bladder cancer,  plays a vital role in maintaining the body’s natural defenses, including the mucous barriers in the eyes, lungs, gut and genitals which help trap bacteria and other infectious agents, is involved in the production and function of white blood cells, which help capture and clear bacteria and other pathogens from the bloodstream, may reduce incidence of acne, protects bones and reduces risk of fractures, essential for maintaining a healthy reproductive system in both men and women, as well as ensuring the normal growth and development of embryos during pregnancy 

Folate – (vitamin B-9) is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine.

Niacin – (vitamin B3) – helps lower LDL cholesterol levels in the body, functions as a co-factor in enzymatic metabolism

Vitamin C – can reduce the risk of infections and pneumonia, help lower the risk of stroke, reduce the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease, reduce macular degeneration that leads to eye disorders, promotes speedier wound healing, reduces asthma symptoms caused by air pollution, aids in the processing of glucose and insulin, and promotes neurotransmitter production which could help to regulate mood

Vitamin E – a fat-soluble anti-oxidant, helps keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria, is important in the formation of red blood cells, helps the body use vitamin K, works synergistically with vitamin C and selenium to help widen blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, keep blood from clotting inside them, and may help prevent heart disease, dementia, liver disease, and stroke 

Vitamin K – produces prothrombin, a protein and clotting factor that is important in blood clotting and bone metabolism, supports the maintenance of strong bones, improves bone density and decreases the risk of fractures, has been linked with improved episodic memory in older adults may help keep blood pressure lower by preventing mineral build up in the arteries thus enableing the heart to pump blood freely through the body

Amino Acids – provide cells with enzymes that perform vital processes including tissue repair, building proteins and muscle, regulating immune function, and synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters 

Calcium – mostly stored in bones and teeth, where it supports their structure and hardness. Also aids muscle to movement and helps nerves carry messages between the brain and every body part 

Carotenoids – antioxidants that aid in lowering inflammation and improving cardiovascular health, help protect cells from free radicals and may be able to prevent cancer growth 

Iron – a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells that determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood 

Magnesium – vital for DNA synthesis and muscle contraction, aids in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and making protein and bone 

Phosphorus – important in the formation of bones and teeth, plays an important role in metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and is also needed to make protein for growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues 

Potassium – a type of electrolyte, it helps nerves to function and muscles to contract and helps regulate heartbeat.