The top seeds to boost your health

Seeds have served as an important food source since ancient times. Seeds, like pumpkin seeds and chia seeds, are packed with nutrients such as fibre, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, and their consumption has been linked to a variety of health benefits. 

Adding seeds to your diet can help you meet your daily nutrient needs and may lower your risk of several health conditions, including heart disease and certain cancers.

Here are some healthy seeds you can eat.

1. Pumpkin seeds 

 Pumpkin seeds are edible seeds extracted from pumpkins. Pumpkin seeds have a nutty, subtly sweet taste and are commonly enjoyed roasted as a snack and added to dishes like baked goods, salads, and trail mix. They're an excellent source of plant-based protein and essential minerals, such as magnesium, copper, zinc, and iron. Magnesium, for instance, is a mineral that’s involved in the regulation of blood pressure, blood sugar, and stress.

They're also rich in copper and iron, two minerals needed for red blood cell production, and zinc, a nutrient that plays critical roles in immune function, growth and development, DNA synthesis, and skin health.

Pumpkin seeds are low in carbs yet high in plant-based protein and heart-healthy fats, making them a good choice for those following plant-based or low-carb eating patterns.

2. Hemp seeds 

Though once considered a by-product of the hemp fibre industry and used mostly for animal feed, hemp seeds have grown in popularity over the past two decades as more people learn of their impressive nutritional benefits.

Hemp seeds are amongst the most nutritious seeds you can eat, providing protein, healthy fats, fibre, and several essential vitamins and minerals including magnesium, B6, and zinc. Hemp seeds may be especially beneficial for brain health, as they're rich in nutrients needed for optimal brain function and stress regulation, such as protein, fat, and magnesium. Magnesium plays an important role in the body's stress response and studies show that people who are frequently stressed tend to have lower blood levels of magnesium compared to people who aren’t typically stressed.

What's more, some research suggests that people with lower blood levels of magnesium are more likely to experience mental health conditions, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.

Increasing your intake of magnesium-rich foods, like hemp seeds, could help increase your magnesium levels and support mental health.

3. Chia seeds 

Though tiny, chia seeds pack a punch when it comes to nutrition. Chia seeds are an excellent source of several minerals, such as magnesium, manganese, and selenium. They're also exceptionally high in fibre. High-fibre foods, like chia seeds, support your digestive system and can help you maintain healthy levels of blood lipids, like cholesterol and triglycerides. Chia seeds are rich in soluble fibre, which decreases the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract and increases its excretion.

Additionally, studies have shown that adding chia seeds to your diet could help reduce blood pressure levels and blood sugar levels, which can also improve heart health and lower heart disease risk.

4. Sesame seeds 

In addition to being used to make sesame oil and sesame products like tahini, sesame seeds can be incorporated into dishes like desserts, breads, crackers, and meat dishes.

Sesame seeds provide an impressive amount of nutrition, even when consumed in small portions. A two-tablespoon serving of sesame seeds covers over 10% of your daily needs for calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, thiamine, and zinc, making sesame seeds an excellent choice for boosting your nutrient intake.

Sesame seeds are also high in protective plant compounds, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, lignans, and polyphenols, and research shows that eating sesame seeds can help increase blood antioxidant levels and reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Additionally, eating sesame seeds and sesame seed products like tahini has been shown to be effective for reducing heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol and may help protect against atherosclerosis, or the thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a build-up of plaque.

5. Flaxseeds 

Flaxseeds are high in several vitamins and minerals, including copper, magnesium, and selenium. These seeds also provide a good source of fibre, which can support digestive health. Flaxseeds have been shown to be an effective natural treatment for constipation and may support an overall healthier gut environment by encouraging the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria.

In addition to encouraging healthy bowel movements and a balanced gut microbiome, adding high-fibre flaxseeds to your diet can also improve blood sugar regulation and reduce heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol levels.

6. Sunflower seeds  

Sunflower seeds are a popular snack food that are commonly enjoyed right out of their shell. These seeds are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin E, selenium, and healthy fats.

Sunflower seeds are a good source of many vitamins and minerals, but are especially high in vitamin E, copper, and selenium, all of which play critical roles in health. A fat-soluble nutrient that functions as a powerful antioxidant in the body, protecting against cellular damage that may otherwise lead to disease.

Sunflower seeds are also concentrated in selenium, a mineral with antioxidant properties that's necessary for thyroid function and reproductive health.

In addition to vitamins and minerals, sunflower seeds provide a source of fibre and plant-based protein, both of which can help you feel full after eating and support weight maintenance.

Tips for consuming more seeds 

Here are a few ways to add more seeds to your diet:

• Sprinkle seeds on salads and grain bowls to add a crunchy texture and boost of nutrition.

• Make your own seed butter by blending the sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, or pumpkin seeds in your food processor until smooth.

• Add seeds to your favourite breakfast recipes like porridge, yoghurt, and chia pudding.

• Use seeds in homemade trail mix, granola, and energy bites.

• Add seeds to baked goods like breads, muffins, and crackers.

• Pair a handful of mixed seeds with a piece of fresh fruit for a filling snack.

Seeds can be added to a number of other dishes, so don't be afraid to experiment with different seeds in your kitchen.

Potential risks of eating seeds 

Seeds are a healthy and safe choice for most people, but should be avoided by those who are allergic to seeds.

Additionally, people who aren't used to eating fibre-rich foods may experience bloating and gas after consuming fibrous foods, like seeds.

If your diet is currently low in fibre, it’s recommended to slowly increase your intake of fibre-rich foods to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

Extracts taken from Jillian Kubala, RD from www.health.com