Sports and Recovery
The Global Challenge
Physical inactivity is widespread—nearly one-third of adults worldwide (≈1.8 billion people) did not meet recommended activity levels in 2022, according to WHO. Even among those who train, post-exercise recovery hurdles can derail consistency. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)—the pain and stiffness after intense or unaccustomed exercise—typically peaks 24–72 hours and is accompanied by transient losses in range of motion and muscle performance.
Strenuous exercise also generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). While ROS act as adaptive signals, excess oxidative stress contributes to muscle fatigue and structural damage, prolonging recovery until redox balance is restored. These realities underscore the value of evidence-based recovery nutrition to help athletes rebound faster and maintain training consistency.
Where microgreens fit
Microgreens concentrate antioxidants (vitamin C, polyphenols) and minerals relevant to recovery, and broccoli microgreens deliver bioavailable sulforaphane—a phytochemical that activates Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defenses; sulforaphane has also been shown to reduce soreness and improve ROM in an exercise trial.
Why a Whole-Food Strategy Beats Isolated Megadoses
Research on high-dose isolated antioxidants (vitamin C/E) and recovery is mixed: some acute trials show biomarker changes, but several recent reviews caution that chronic or high doses can blunt training adaptations by damping beneficial redox signaling. In short, pills aren’t a guaranteed win—and sometimes work against you.
By contrast, whole foods deliver antioxidants in a matrix with minerals, fiber, and diverse phytochemicals that interact synergistically and can enhance bioavailability and physiologic effect versus single-nutrient supplements. This “food-matrix synergy” has been documented for polyphenols and other plant compounds, supporting a food-first approach to redox balance and recovery.
Microgreens operationalize that strategy. Peer-reviewed analyses show microgreens concentrate vitamin C, carotenoids, and tocopherols well above many mature leaves, and carry meaningful minerals (K, Mg, Zn) relevant to muscle function and electrolyte balance. Human feeding data also confirm broccoli microgreens deliver bioavailable sulforaphane, an Nrf2-activator with anti-inflammatory/antioxidant actions; in an exercise model, sulforaphane reduced soreness and improved ROM 48 h post-workout. That’s the advantage of Only Plants: whole-food antioxidants + minerals + sulforaphane precursors, without megadoses or synthetic isolates.
Only Plants help the body overcome these hurdles naturally, using the power of plant-based nutrition. Key benefits include:
Antioxidant Defense: Rich in plant antioxidants and phenolic compounds, it helps buffer exercise-induced oxidative stress in muscles. Neutralizing excess free radicals can reduce cell damage and soreness after workouts. This means gentler inflammation and potentially faster recovery of strength.
Muscle Function Support: Provides essential electrolytes and minerals from whole-food sources – potassium, magnesium, and calcium – which are crucial for healthy muscle contraction and nerve signaling. These minerals support the contraction-relaxation cycle of muscle fibers and may help prevent cramps or weakness. Magnesium in particular is a cofactor in hundreds of enzymes involved in muscle and nerve function, and it helps regulate calcium and potassium flux in muscle cells, all of which keep your muscles firing optimally.
Energy Metabolism: Supplies B-vitamins like folate (vitamin B9) in a natural form. B-complex vitamins are required as coenzymes in our energy-production pathways, helping convert carbs, fats, and proteins into usable energy. By supporting efficient energy metabolism, these vitamins can reduce fatigue and improve the body’s capacity to repair and build muscle tissue post-exercise.
Suggested Use
For best results, take 4–6 capsules within 2 hours after your workout (when your body’s recovery processes are most active). On rest days or light activity days, 2–4 capsules can be taken to nourish and repair muscles. This regimen ensures a steady intake of recovery nutrients to consistently combat oxidative stress and support muscle function. (As always, listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any specific conditions.)
What's Inside
Ingredients: Dried microgreens – Radish (50%), Sunflower (35%), Mung bean (15%) – delivered in a plant-origin HPMC capsule.
Per Capsule: aprox 0.5 g of dried microgreens, providing a concentrated source of natural vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. There are no fillers or synthetics – just pure, whole microgreen powders. This whole-food approach avoids mega-doses and relies on nutrients in their natural ratios.
Cruciferous microgreens like radish also boast high levels of glucosinolates, which convert into bioactive compounds such as sulforaphane (and its close cousin sulforaphene in radish). Sulforaphane is a well-studied plant compound that activates the body’s own antioxidant defenses via the Nrf2 pathway, helping to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Studies indicate that these properties can directly benefit exercise recovery. For example, a clinical trial found that participants who took a sulforaphane-rich supplement experienced less muscle soreness and lower oxidative stress markers 48 hours after intense exercise compared to a control group. In essence, sulforaphane and similar plant bioactives help the body “clean up” after heavy workouts – quelling inflammation and oxidative damage – so you feel less sore and can bounce back faster. By formulating Sports & Recovery with microgreens high in these compounds (like radish), Only Plants provides a science-backed, natural approach to recovery.
In summary, Only Plants, nutrient-dense solution to common training hurdles. It tackles the global challenge of inconsistent exercise by easing post-workout soreness (DOMS) and oxidative stress through antioxidant-rich, mineral-packed microgreens. With science on our side – from WHO statistics to peer-reviewed recovery research – we’ve created a transparent, plant-based recovery blend to keep you moving, training, and achieving your fitness goals. Enjoy the benefits of quicker recovery and sustained performance, powered purely by plants.
References
Each reference supports the text above, underscoring that Only Plants’ approach is rooted in solid science and nature’s wisdom.
Nearly 1.8 billion adults at risk of disease from not doing enough physical activity
Exercise-induced oxidative stress: Friend or foe?
Microgreens—A Comprehensive Review of Bioactive Molecules and Health Benefits
Magnesium - Health Professional
Antioxidant supplements and endurance exercise: Current evidence and mechanistic insights
Bioavailability of Anthocyanins: Whole Foods versus Extracts
Bioavailability of Food Polyphenols: Current State of Knowledge
Vitamins and Minerals Involved in Energy Metabolism
Effects of Sulforaphane supplementation on exercise: A Review