The Healthiest Seeds to Add to Your Diet

We all try to stay healthy and eat the freshest fruits and vegetables, but  sometimes we forget where these nutritional eats come from – seeds..  Many edible seeds are packed-full of nutrients. So if you care about good  nutrition, you should certainly be aware of their great benefits.

1. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds have been getting a lot of good attention in recent years, which  makes sense seeing that they're considered some of the healthies superfoods  out there. What’s in them? Chia seeds are loaded with vitamins and minerals, contain ten times more  nutritional fibers than rice, eight times more Omega 3 fatty acids than salmon,  six times more calcium than milk and three times more iron than spinach.  On top of that, they contain a inordinate amount of antioxidants that fight cell  damage. Why you should eat them Eating chia seeds can help you lose weight, relieve joint pains, and protect the body from heart disease and diabetes. The seeds also help keep your liver in  good shape, and since they contain no gluten they are perfect for people  with celiac disease. What can you do with them? These seeds go well with a number of dishes, thanks to their ability to take on  the food’s flavors. Here are some recommendations: Cooked, as a side dish Added protein for salads A crispy coating for chicken or fish Added to fruit shakes Added while baking bread

2. Hemp Seeds

These are the seeds of the cannabis plant. Hemp may have great industrial  benefits, but its seeds have even greater health benefits. What’s in them? Hemp seeds are the perfect source for all 20 amino acids, including the nine  essential acids our body cannot produce on its own. They’re rich in a protein  and are a great source for phytochemicals - chemical compounds that occur  naturally in plants and are beneficial to our health. Why you should eat them If you care about your health, you should be eating hemp seeds. They’ll  boost your immune system, bolster your cardiovascular system, and  help in cell regeneration. The seeds do not contain THC (the active  substance in Marijuana), and are perfectly safe and legal to consume. What can you do with them? The seed’s nutty flavor makes them great as an addition to a variety of foods: Grind into hemp flour to bake with Prepare hemp milk Add to various pastries Raw – as snacks

3. Pomegranate Seeds

This biblical fruit is also a divine source of health benefits. What’s in them? Rich in antioxidants, pomegranate seeds help you fight off the effects of free  radicals, promoting the integrity and health of our cells. Among those  antioxidants you can find polyphenols, which help to prevent cancer and  heart disease. Like most other red fruits, pomegranates are rich in vitamin C,  which is a natural booster for the immune system. Why you should eat them The antioxidants keep our body’s building blocks in good shape as well as  prevent blood clots from forming. Another benefit is in maintaining the  elasticity of our blood vessels, which helps blood flow. Finally,  pomegranates also help maintain the integrity of the cartilage in our joints,  preventing the onset of arthritis. What can you do with them? These delicious seeds have so much potential: Added to green salad Pomegranate chicken As a delicious juice As a topping for a cheesecake

4. Flax Seeds

Flax has been known around the world as a health booster for years. What’s in them? Flax seeds are an excellent source for nutritional fibers, which keep your  digestive system healthy and regular. They are also packed with polyphenols  and linoleic acid, both of which have many health benefits for the human body. Why you should eat them The fibers in the seeds will keep your bowels regular and provide an extended  sense of satiety. The linoleic acids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties  and have been shown to stop the development of tumors. The polyphenols  regulate hormone production in the body and are particularly recommended  for women who are struggling with PMS and menopause. What can you do with them? Known worldwide, flax seeds are also a popular addition to a variety of dishes,  such as: A crunchy addition to salad Added when baking bread Added inside muffins Added inside yoghurt

5. Pumpkin Seeds

Next time you’re carving out a pumpkin, keep the seeds – they’re filled with  nutrients and proteins. What’s in them? Pumpkin seeds are considered to be a perfect source of plant protein. 100 grams  of these seeds contain about 54% of the required daily intake of protein. On top  of that, pumpkin seeds contain a lot of vitamin B and folic acids, as well as  a unique chemical called tryptophan-L, which our brain converts into  serotonin, an important neurotransmitter that elevates our mood. Why you should eat them The proteins and folic acids in the seeds help build and repair our muscles The  seeds themselves serve as a powerful antacid. Finally, the tryptophan-L is a known  mood enhancer. What can you do with them? These seeds can be eaten after being roasted and salted, or in a variety of other  ways: A crunchy, protein-rich addition to salad A great topping for soups As part of pesto sauce In yoghurt

6. Sesame Seeds

Sesame is thought to be one of the most ancient spices ever used, as well as a  source for healthy and delicious oil. What’s in them? The seeds are rich in minerals such as magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium,  zinc and manganese, and also contain vitamin B and lots of fiber. They also  provide the eater with two special chemicals – sesamin and sesamolin. Why you should eat them The many minerals in the seeds make them a veritable nutritional bomb,  which helps strengthen our bones and regulate cell division, sugar levels and  salt levels. The sesamin and sesamolin lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and are  only found in sesame seeds. What can you do with them? The many uses of sesame include: Making tahini Making halva (raw tahini with honey) Added flavor to string beans Delicious topping for bread and savory pastries

7. Sunflower Seeds

Delicious in their own right, they’re also incredibly healthy. What’s in them? Sunflower seeds are a great source of vitamin E, which helps maintain the  health of our cardiovascular system, as well as phytosterols and magnesium. Why you should eat them The vitamin E in the seeds helps to prevent and repair damage to blood  vessels. The phytosterols lowers LDL levels and boosts the immune system.  They also act as an anti-carcinogen. What can you do with them? These seeds are available in many food stores, but you should avoid the  roasted and salted version. Instead, try using fresh seeds when making: Salads Soups Bread Chicken fish

8. Cumin Seeds

Cumin is mostly known as a delicious Middle Eastern spice, but cumin seeds also  pack a hefty amount of benefits. What’s in them? The seeds are rich in iron, which is beneficial for the liver, and contain  chemicals that stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. Another  powerful ingredient is the large quantity of antioxidants, which help you fight cell  damage and the onset of cancer. Why you should eat them Iron is highly beneficial for the health of your liver and circulatory system,  and the enzymes cumin causes you to produce improve and speed up the  digestion process. Cumin is also recommended for a case of a sore throat or a  cold. They also act as a booster for kidney and immune system functions. What can you do with them? The seeds can be consumed as is, or in their more popular version – ground into a spice. It can be added into a variety of dishes, giving them a flavor upgrade. Base for Indian-style dishes Fish fillet wrapped in cumin seeds Added to stews Roasted seeds in salad Vegetarian lentil and cumin balls

9. Grape Seeds

Most people prefer seedless grapes, but the seeds are actually surprisingly healthy. What’s in them? Grape seeds are rich in vitamin E, linoleic acid, and flavonoids, which are  antibacterial and antifungal. Why you should eat them Grape seed oil has been used as medicine for thousands of years. Grape seeds  keep your circulatory system healthy, have anti-inflammatory properties, and  can reduce diabetes symptoms. Furthermore, they’re rich in antioxidants,  which keep your cells and soft tissues safe from free radicals. What can you do with them? The main use is as an oil, so try the following: Stir-fried vegetables in grape oil Quinoa in balsamic vinegar and grape oil Beef marinated in grape oil Natural grape ice cream [FunFunky]