Did you know that seeds can do a lot for your health? I, honestly didn’t at first, but it turns out that they are a great source of vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and more. You can easily incorporate seeds into your diet – you can put them in your salad or just eat them as a snack. If you are thinking of improving your body’s health, then consider adding these 10 seeds to your diet.
I might be a little biased when it comes to this seed, because I am obsessed with pumpkin seeds. There is nothing like carving a pumpkin and reaching for the seeds inside… or is that just me? Pumpkin seeds are surprisingly really good for you, so good that they have the potential to reduce the risk of certain cancers – breast, colon, stomach, lung, and prostate cancer. Pumpkin seeds can provide you with protein, fiber, magnesium, and iron. You don’t have to wait till pumpkin season to get your hands on some seeds, because you can find these seeds in stores.
Are you having some tummy troubles? If so, then you need this seed in your life. Flaxseeds are loaded with fiber… seriously. The one draw back to this seed is that the outer shell of a Flaxseed cannot be digested by humans, so it might be best to purchase Flaxseeds that are already ground. Flaxseeds can also help reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and reduce LDL cholesterol (bad). It’s safe to say that this seed can do a lot for you.
They are a prime ingredient in trail mix, but did you know that they are really healthy? Sesame seeds can improve hair growth, boost the look of your skin, aide digestion, stabilize blood pressure, and give you energy. Have I persuaded you yet? I had no idea what this little seed can do. Sesame seeds make a great snack, so skip the chips and reach for these instead.
Sunflower seeds are the easiest seed to find, just go to any gas station and you’ll see them. As a kid, I used to eat sunflower seeds on road trips… those were the days. Sunflower seeds are one of the healthiest seeds, as they are high in protein, vitamin E, and magnesium. Several studies suggest that Sunflower seeds can lower the risk of breast cancer. Grab a bag of sunflower seeds today!
Ch..ch..ch.. Chia! They say that milk helps build strong bones, but so do Chia seeds. Are you familiar with Chia seeds? Honestly, I didn’t really know anything about them before today. Much like Flaxseeds, Chia seeds are a great source of fiber. Chia seeds can increase the ALA in the blood – an omega-3 fatty acid that can reduce inflammation. One study suggests that Chia seeds can decrease one’s appetite. If you are looking for a healthy snack, then you need some Chia seeds.
Did you know that Pomegranate seeds can be ingested and they are actually really good for you, because I certainly didn’t. Pomegranate seeds or “arils” can be messy, but they are so worth it – they are loaded with protein, vitamin C, and polyphenols. Pomegranate seeds are a low calorie food, so this is a guilt-free treat. These seeds are super easy to add to your diet, just incorporate them into your smoothie or a cup of yogurt and you’re good to go.
This one honestly blew my mind, because I did not know that pine cones produce seeds. Don’t let the name fool you, because pine nuts are still considered a seed. Pine nuts can provide you with vitamins, copper, iron, manganese, an phosphorus. These seeds can decrease LDL Cholesterol levels and lower the risk of a stroke and heart attack. There are so many health benefits attached to this nut/seed, so maybe that’s why squirrels love to throw them…
Hemp seeds come from Cannabis, and we know what your thinking, but don’t worry because Hemp seeds have little to no THC (found in marijuana), so it won’t have any affect on you. Hemp seeds are really good for you, as they are packed with proteins and minerals. Hemp seeds can improve the quality of your skin, reduce your risk of heart disease, and calm the symptoms of PMS. Now this is a seed that you have to try.
It is bad that I never really knew what wheat germ was used for? It turns out that wheat germ is loaded with nutrients like riboflavin, vitamins, zinc, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and folate. The major health benefit that comes with ingesting wheat germ is digestion, because it’s fiber helps keep your regular. You can add wheat germ to anything – add it to your pancakes or yogurt and you’ll set for the day.
Last but not least is the Poppy seed. Poppy seeds come from the wonderful Poppy plant (that’s fun to say). You will often seed Poppy seeds in salads or on bagels, because they have a way of adding a crunch and a touch of flavor to whatever you are eating. Poppy seeds have high amounts of fiber and vitamin B, so if you are stuck and need some energy, just pop some Poppy seeds. Poppy seed pods are famous and it’s not for the best reason… because the sap is a source of opium. I do want to make it clear that Poppy seeds do not contain any opiates themselves, it’s simply the residue that they acquire during harvest, but when they are processed the residue is removed. To be safe, you still might not want to ingest these before a drug test.
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