It should not come as a great surprise that the health benefits of seeds are very significant because seeds are the part of a plant that contain all the ingredients needed to bring forth new life. Find out why the health benefits of seeds are essential to your diet, why they are good for healthy weight loss and why they have been used for centuries to treat specific ailments. Discover which seeds are the stars of the seed world and why seeds should be a part of your life?
Some of the most common seeds that are acclaimed for their health benefits are chia seeds, flax seeds (Linseeds), hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. Together these seeds are simply packed full of goodness.
The health benefits of seeds include providing you with the nutrition you need for a healthy diet and aiding healthy weight loss as well as treatment for some illnesses. They contain many of the essential fatty acids that your body cannot manufacture such as omega 3 and 6, they are a great source of vitamins and they contain protein. The health benefits of seeds include combating free radicals which are linked to cancer and other illnesses, they can help reduce high blood pressure and reduce bad forms of cholesterol, plus a lot more besides.
So what are specific the health benefits of seeds?
Chia seed - has hydrating properties and also aids healthy weight loss
The health benefits of seeds were known to the Aztecs in South America who used chia as an energy food. Chia seed is hydrophilic which means that the seeds soak up water so they act as a method of hydrating your body over a longer period, making them great for athletes. The fact that they absorb water also causes them to have impacts on your digestive processes including slowing down the speed at which your body converts carbohydrates into simple sugar and the speeds at which calories are absorbed. That means they can contribute to healthy weight loss both by making you feel fuller and reducing your calorie absorption. They may also be helpful for diabetics due to the slower rate that carbohydrates are converted into sugar. On top of this they are packed full of nutrients including Omega-3 and 6 essential fatty acids.
Just like other seeds, chia seeds can be sprinkled onto salads or mixed with cereals or added to yogurt or included in baked foods.
Flax seed (linseed) - good for digestive health and treating constipation
Flax is undergoing a rebirth as one of the top health foods so it cannot be ignored when talking about the health benefits of seeds. Golden flax is often considered the best as it more readily releases the nutrients within. All the benefits are too numerous to mention here. The key one is digestive and colon health with flax seed being a good way to deal with constipation. The best way to take flax is by grinding the seeds, in a coffee grinder and sprinkling the power on cereals or salads or putting it into cakes. Some specialists say that there is no value in eating flax seeds whole, but I disagree, I add them whole to muesli and I know from experience that they work like that to combat constipation. I have concluded that if you chew your food they will be ground down by your teeth and the nutrients released. I you aim is healthy weight loss they will help to keep food moving through your digestive system which helps prevent your body storing food as fat.
Hemp seed - good for preventing stiff muscles
It is said that one tablespoon of hemp seeds per day gives you all the essential fatty acids that you need including Omega-3 and 6. Hemp is also good for people who exercise hard because it helps to eliminate lactic acid which accumulates in your muscles after exercise causing stiffness. Hemp seed contributes to brain function, so it can help prevent depression and irritability. It is known to reduce inflammation and it is good for hair health and moisturizing your skin. In terms of the health benefits of seeds, hemp must be included as a seed that will help promote your general health and well-being.