Find out the benefits of these amazing little health bombs…
Despite their tiny size, seeds (along with nuts) are some of the healthiest foods on the planet. Pound for pound, they contain more nutrition than just about any other food. Eating a handful of seeds or nuts can go a long way toward improving your health in so many ways. Here are a few of the MANY health benefits of eating raw seeds:
- More Omega-3s -- Omega-3 fatty acids are some of the most important nutrients for a healthy body and brain. You can get Omega-3 fatty acids from a wide range of foods, but few contain the same high quality of fatty acids as sees. Chia seeds, in particular, are loaded with these fatty acids. However, they’re also found in flax and hemp seeds.
- More Protein –– Did you know that most seeds contain higher-quality amino acids than meat? Hemp seeds, for example, contain 20 different amino acids, including the 9 amino acids essential for producing protein. Best of all, the protein in the seeds doesn’t come with all the added saturated fat you get from red meat.
- Vegetarian/Vegan –– With seeds, you can add a lot of protein and other nutrients to your vegetarian or vegan diet. Many vegetarians and vegans have a hard time getting enough protein in their diet, but the high amino acid content of seeds is the simple solution to this problem. A few spoonfuls of seeds, and you’ve got more protein than you’d get from a juicy steak.
- More Fiber –– Seeds are packed with dietary fiber, both the soluble and insoluble kind. Soluble fiber soaks up cholesterol, fats, and toxins from your intestines, making it easier for your body to eliminate them. Insoluble fiber works like a scouring pad to eliminate waste clinging to your intestinal walls. Together, they’ll clean out your digestive tract and improve your health drastically.
READ MORE: 8 Chia Seed Health Benefits
- More Antioxidants –– All seeds contain trace antioxidants, but some are packed with these vital nutrients. Take pomegranate seeds, for example. These seeds are loaded with antioxidants that can reduce free radical damage to your heart, improve your circulation, and reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer.
- More Vitamins — All seeds contain vitamins, but some more than others. For example, pomegranate seeds contain a hefty dose of Vitamin C. A single tablespoon of chia seeds has the same amount of Vitamin C as you’d get from eating 7 oranges. Pumpkin seeds are an amazing source of the B vitamins that keep your metabolism running and your body working. If you want to get more essential vitamins, add more seeds to your diet!
- More Healthy Fats –– All seeds (like nuts) contain fats, which is why there are seed oils (like flax seed or sesame seed oil). However, unlike vegetable oil, these oils are low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fat. These unsaturated fatty acids will do wonders to improve the health of your heart, brain, and body, and can help to reduce cholesterol and body fat.
- More Minerals –– Seeds are an amazing source of minerals. Sesame seeds, for example, are packed with magnesium, a mineral that can lower your blood pressure, prevent migraines, and reduce the severity of asthma attacks. Chia seeds contain 6 times more calcium than milk, and 3 times the amount of iron you’d get from a serving of spinach.
All in all, eating more seeds is the key to having a healthier body!
