Let’s face it, hydroponic superfoods are the future. It’s true. Ever since William Frederick Gericke trumpeted the merits of soil-less gardening in 1929, farming as we know has never been the same. A quick look at how NASA pounced and made the most of the idea makes this advancement and its overwhelming benefits obvious. Perhaps to the delight of other planet conquistadores in the likes of billionaire Elon Musk. Come to think of it, soil can certainly be a drawback when you’re out flying into deep space. Or trying to build a major colony in a proverbial red planet somewhere in a nearby solar system. Still, detractors are ripe. As the advantage of hydroponic gardening is getting more pronounced, vigorous resistance is making the rounds.
Then again, not even the strongest of standing armies can resist an idea whose time has come.
All this gets no more obvious than in growing superfoods. In a time when most everyone we know is grabbing fast food left and right, statistics paint an ugly picture. The truth of the matter is we are staring at death every day. As obesity is holding America hostage, hundreds of thousands of Americans succumb to the torments of heart disease. It’s a scary thought, no doubt. But a lot scarier if you don’t do anything about it. Right? The hero of the day starts with an S. Superfoods. And in the struggle to take hold the best protection you can have, taking your eyes off the best could be a loss of a lifetime. Hydroponic superfoods.
Superfoods for Supermen: Fighting America’s Greatest Scourge
Like children, we look up to strength. As the great philosopher war strategist used to say, “Attack from a position of strength.” And even when it may seem childish to admire the invincibility of DC character Superman, the man with the cape, we definitely admire such traits as worth having. To a certain point.
And that is why superfoods matter in general. There may not be an official medically-accepted definition of a superfood. Throughout the years, executives mostly in marketing have thrown the word out to gain media mileage in the age when the internet is breaking all norms of exposure.
Suffice it to say, superfoods are nutrient-intensive - more than any other food on the planet. These are raw foods that when taken introduces off-the-charts macronutrients and micronutrients to the body. Most common examples: spinach, soy, blueberries. Then again, there are no exact criteria on getting a fruit, vegetable or fish to be labeled as a superfood. Much as you may want to, you can’t go to a governing body to certify anyone fruit you love.
Though aggressive marketing can surely float the idea. Then again, time will tell if people really think it. And the moniker sticks.
But why take them?
That is really a good question. One deserving a factual no-holds-barred answer. But the question, to a large degree, is flawed. Deeper analysis will reveal. The better question is not why but why not?
Think about it.
In America, the dramatic lack of nutritional content in the foods we eat is getting the nation, in a dangerous free fall. Already, CDC (Center for Disease Control) data is painting a grim picture. Not equaled in the history of the biggest economy in the world. Government data show:
- Over 600,000 Americans die of heart disease every year
- Heart disease accounts for 1 in every 4 deaths in the US
- Over 735,000 people have heart attacks each year
This data alone shows us why heart disease is the #1 killer in America. Not any one person or organization is to blame for these uncalled-for deaths. Not even the terrorists.
Unraveling American from Within
And yet, all this comes of little surprise. To date, USA is topping the charts as the most obese nation in the world. The birthplace of hamburger is taking second place to no other country in tipping the scales. With obesity rate for American adults (15 and over) clocking in at a jaw-dropping 38.2 percent. A rate second only to Mexico’s in the world standing.
It’s no accident that such a marriage - of Americans and fast food - is proving to be a lethal combination. While burgers and pizza offer a delicious relief to hunger, their lack in nutritional value and abundance in calories have contributed greatly to the unfettered rise of America. Ruling supreme collectively at the weighing scale.
The result becomes all the more apparent. As people add more weight, they slowly lose the ability to fight degenerative diseases day by day. Exactly why a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology reveals people living near fast food are increasing their risk for heart disease by a whole lot.
Now, what can superfoods offer on the table?
It’s simple. Superfoods nourish your body by giving you the nutrients you need. The abundance of antioxidants for instance in citrus fruits allows you to nurture your heart, providing you with a way to fight heart disease better. By unraveling the toxic work of free radicals around the arteries, antioxidants counter plaque formation - which unfettered could lead to a heart attack.
A 2013 study involving women (ages 25 to 42) who had more than 3 servings of blueberry and strawberry a week is an eye-opener. It showed that women who make a habit of eating these fruits weekly had a lower risk of getting a heart attack. To be exact, 32 percent lesser. Compared to people who don’t.
Authors of the study attributed such success in warding off heart attack to the antioxidants in such superfoods. Namely, flavonoids and anthocyanins.
This is also why getting hydroponic superfoods are a must.
Hydroponic Superfoods: Good just Got Greater
It’s true. The enemy of the great is the good. When you settle for something that’s just good, you miss the chance of getting what’s better. Greater. Making that distinction in choosing superfoods can be a lifesaver.
As hard as it is to admit, not all superfoods are created equal.
All the good things that superfoods carry gets even better when they’re grown via hydroponics. That’s a flat-out sweeping statement. True. Which is why we need to put a qualifier to that.
There has always been a debate going on ever since the idea of soil-less farming hatched since way back when. Ever since the great Francis Bacon initially explored the idea of growing terrestrial plants minus the soil way back in 1627, the idea seems off. It’s a hard proposition, one that William Frederick Gericke would spend a lifetime fighting,
Still, in the battle between half-truths and half-lies, getting to the bottom of things can be an uphill climb. That is why a lot of people who are throwing flak at the hydroponic super green movement could be at a great disadvantaged. They are closing themselves to an idea whose time has come.
First stop, remember that each farm is unique. Simply because each piece of land has different nutrients. Different environments. Different weather conditions.
The same holds true for hydroponic farming. Each garden will have different results as each hydroponic farmer will use different nutrient formulas. Different formulas, different results.
Such differences mean the quality of the crops may suffer due to these variants. However, such a weakness in traditional farming is actually the strength of hydroponics.
Why? It’s hard for you to control what’s in the soil. No matter the number of control mechanisms you place to put everything under your rein. You simply can’t.
For one, you don’t have the switch to the sun. The amount of light that drops in on your greens can greatly affect the quality of your harvest. But much as you choose to, the star that our planet orbits around has its own time. Beyond our control.
Then there is also the case for the weather. Too much wind (or snow) can severely affect your crops. Such environmental fluctuations again is out of your hand. Humidity for one can effect substantial changes in your plant’s biochemical make-up. That’s regardless of best methods used to grow them.
But not with hydroponics.
When you grow plants using this hi-tech farming method, you are in better control.
First stop, you won’t suffer from the absence of the sun. In lieu of the light of the star, you have grow lights. Perfectly under your control. As you can switch them on or off anytime.
As for nutrients, you can prep the most nutrient-rich medium so your plant roots can get the best nourishment. Under precisely-controlled humidity. Or for that matter, temperature.
Because of this, you free yourself of the normal constraints of farming. You can throw growing seasons out the window, for instance. In this regard, you can choose to have superfood spinach in July if you want. Or superfood tomato in January.
Moreover, since you’ve freed yourself from the vicissitudes of land, you can grow superfoods just about anywhere. Alaskans even in winter could enjoy homegrown lettuce. And not have these superfoods flown from hundreds of miles away.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about heavy metals being absorbed by your greens. Or for that matter, disease-causing bacteria which may flourish in soil. Thanks to manure-based fertilizers.
Most importantly, it’s a lot easier to produce high-quality superfoods at a consistent level with hydroponics than with soil-based farming. A study done by Buchanan in 2013 exposed that lettuce grown hydroponically had more nutrients compared to soil-grown counterparts. Specifically, there were more Vitamin C, an antioxidant that’s good for the heart.
Add that to higher growth rates and to bigger yields, and you have greater access to better superfoods via hydroponics.
The Curious Case of Soil-less Farming: USDA Rules
Indeed, hydroponic farming is gaining ground. Though met with staunch opposition, farmers convinced the land is the sole source of good things, USDA has ruled hydroponic produce can be labeled as organic.
Big surprise.
The USDA ruling states that the approval of hydroponics as organic is based on input-system certification. The soil-based determination it says is just way too complex.
That’s quite a leap. Initially, the Crops Subcommittee recommended banning any and all soil-less farming as organic. But not if the National Organics Standard Board can’t help it. The august body overturned that decision with eight votes, overruling seven against it.
Indeed, William Frederick Gericke could be laughing in his grave. So will Francis Bacon. For finally, their works are getting the credit it deserves.
Truly, things are looking up for hydroponic superfoods. Just recently aspara, the world’s first commercially available miniature smart hydroponic grower, available, being healthy is closer than you think. Already, the revolutionary mini-farm is turning heads, reaping two awards after being launched (i.e., 2018 IHA Global Innovation Award (GIA), Electronic Industries Award 2018 Gold Prize Winner). With this, the vision of hydroponic superfoods is invading your homes. Right where you need it most. Growing on your kitchen table countertop.
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