SUPERFOOD & NUTRITIONAL BOOSTER - SEEDS

SUPERFOOD

CHIA SEEDS

Refer to http://zainabrd.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/chia-superfood-and-aids-weight-loss.html

FLAX SEEDS

Flaxseeds—which come from one of the oldest fibre crops in the world, flax—contain a large amount of lignans, a nutrient present in fruits and vegetables that is thought to fight a slew of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, hormone-related cancer, and osteoporosis. 

Flaxseeds also contain a large amount of the antioxidant manganese which is known to help fight free-radicals, particles that can cause cell damage.

Blend in smoothies, bake in bread, or sprinkle on yogurt, cottage cheese, or applesauce.

HEMP SEEDS

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant, and no, it will not get you high. It will, however, pack in more protein per serving than any other super seed. 

Similar to flaxseed, hemp seeds have a nutty taste and most of the fat in these comes from omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seeds do not contain any phytates, which means that the minerals in hemp seeds are easier for the body to absorb. High magnesium levels support energy production and bone health, and hemp seeds also contain a large amount of vitamin E.

Sprinkle them over a nutty salad, add them into a yogurt parfait, or blend them into a smoothie.

 MUSKMELON SEEDS

With the summer at its peak, muskmelons are at their best. This juicy and pulpy fruit offers great relief from the heat. It keeps you full, hydrates you, gives you enough fibres, provides huge amount of Vitamin A, and keeps your vision intact. Those muskmelon seeds that you conveniently toss away in the trash can have numerous health benefits.

Muskmelon seeds are a good source of proteins.

Muskmelon seeds are extremely rich in antioxidants and Vitamins A, C, and E. This is really good for your vision as Vitamin A, C, and E help prevent macular degeneration in the eyes. 

The antioxidants in the seeds keep your blood cholesterol levels under check and also decrease the risk of cancer.

Vitamin C in the seeds is also very effective in fighting off cold and flu by boosting your immune system.
The seeds are also a great source of minerals like magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium, thus helping regulate your blood pressure. 

Consuming muskmelon seeds will also improve bone density and decrease the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Muskmelon seeds are also used in treating migraines, insomnia, and depression.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in the muskmelon seeds take great care of your cardiovascular function and play a key role in fighting cardiovascular diseases.

Do you lack a healthy growth of hair? Are your nails weak, slow in growth, and break often? Consuming muskmelon seeds can really ensure a healthy growth of hair and nails, thanks to the high protein content in them. It also helps maintain the tissues in our body.

Muskmelon seeds and the 'netting' around them are a great source of fibre and thus, they help you in losing weight.

These seeds are also great for thickening soups, stews, and gravies. These are often used in spicy meat dishes to bring thickness. You can add them to your apple pies and crumbles.

NIGELLA/ BLACK CUMIN

Native to Southwest Asia, nigella seeds are popular in Indian cuisine but have also been used for centuries as a traditional treatment for a broad range of ills, including pink eye, the flu, colic and congestion. Commonly referred to as black seed, “kalonji” or black cumin, the seed is also sold in an oil form at stores like Whole Foods. An ounce contains 11g of fibre, 5g of protein and 4g of fat, and is a good source of calcium, magnesium and iron. 

You can add it to bread just like sesame seeds.

PAPAYA SEEDS

Addicted to pomegranate seeds? Then give papayas a try. The seeds are rich in oleic and palmitic acids, two fatty acids thought to ward off cancer, and in traditional Chinese medicine, a teaspoon of papaya seeds is often given to detoxify the liver.

Popular in Hawaiian cuisine, the seeds are often ground up and used like pepper in salad dressings and other foods.

PUMPKIN SEEDS

I Love pumpkin seeds because they are so versatile! Apart from just being a great snack to throw in your handbag and eat on the go. 

Only a handful of pumpkin seeds contains about 130 calories, and their five grams of fat per serving, unlike other superfood seeds, contains a relatively low amount of omega-3 fatty acids. 

Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, iron, and zinc, and they're one of the best sources of magnesium, a mineral that helps stabilize blood pressure, build bone strength, and even reduce stress. A French study found that men with the highest levels of magnesium in their blood have a 40 percent lower risk of early death than those with the lowest levels.

Pumpkin seeds are healthy for men for one other reason: They're high in phytosterols, plant-based chemicals that help alleviate symptoms associated with having an enlarged prostate, such as urinary difficulties.

Roast a handful at home and add your spices of choice, or buy snack-ready bags at the store (but beware of too much added salt). They can also be baked into muffins or bread.

SESAME SEEDS

People often overlook this as a simple bagel flavour, but sesame seeds are very high in essential minerals: manganese for bone health, zinc for immune health, and copper for energy and collagen production 

They're also a good source of iron. Iron is needed to make haemoglobin which is responsible for delivering oxygen to muscle tissues, inadequate iron can lead to headaches, upset mood, and severe lethargy and fatigue.

Look for black sesame seeds for a nuttier flavour and a more potent source of antioxidants. Baking into bagels and breads is how they’re typically used, but homemade salad dressing or sesame seed nut milk can easily incorporate the seed into any meal. They can also be combined with soy sauce and tossed with steamed veggies.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Eating sunflower seeds, ward off sun damage. Just half a cup of sunflower seeds provides more than 100 percent of your daily requirement for alpha-tocopherol, the most active form of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals and UV damage. They're also a great source for the antidepressant phenylalanine, an amino acid the body turns into the brain chemical norepinephrine, which keeps you alert and focused. 

WATERMELON SEEDS

Watermelon is an extremely popular fruit. While we all enjoy eating this sweet refreshing fruit, we usually discard the tiny seeds scattered in it without realising or rather knowing of their health benefits. These seeds are loaded with nutrients including fatty acids, essential proteins and lots of minerals. These seeds are rich in vitamin B like thiamine, niacin, foliate and minerals like magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, zinc, phosphorus and copper. Besides, they are a great source of calories with 100 grams of watermelon seeds providing around 600 grams of calories.

Your body requires amino acids but there are some essential amino acids such as arginine and lysine, which the body cannot produce on its own and these have to be provided from food sources. Watermelon seeds contain some of these essential amino acids such as tryptophan and glutamic acids. Lysine helps in calcium absorption to facilitate formation of collagen and connective tissues in the body whereas arginine improves the body’s metabolism, cardiovascular system and sexual health. 

Watermelon seeds are good sources of magnesium with 100 grams of seeds providing 139 percent of the recommended daily requirement. Magnesium is vital for normal heart functioning, maintenance of normal blood pressure, supporting metabolic process and protein synthesis. It is also beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension besides controlling blood pressure and diabetes. 

Watermelon seeds contain lycopene, which is good for your face and also helps in improving male fertility. 

These seeds are excellent sources of multivitamin B and can replace some of the supplements. Vitamin B present in watermelon seeds comprises of niacin, foliate, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid. B vitamins are vital for maintaining healthy blood, nervous system and effective immune response.  

These seeds can be used for treating diabetes. Boil a handful of watermelon seeds in 1 ltr water for 45 minutes, keeping the pot covered. This concoction should be taken every day like tea.  

Watermelon seeds are effective in recovering health after illness and sharpening your memory.

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