Diet Mail Diet Mail- August 2014 | Page 10

Different Seeds With their Health Benefits There is only one way to derive nutrition from seeds and that is to eat them raw. Once they are exposed to heat, they produce toxic substances and the vitamin, mineral and essential oil profiles are denatured. By roasting a seed, its classification moves from a living food to a dead food. There is no seed on earth that can withstand roasting or heating without breaking down its nutritional components. A l w a y s r e m e m b e r, e a t s e e d s naturally eat them raw. This also means they can be soaked, ground or mashed (i.e. tahini), especially if a seed's shell or coat is too difficult to pierce with the teeth. Choose raw and unsalted seeds Avoid coated or roasted seeds Avoid sugar coated seeds 1. Hemp Seeds Hemp seeds are truly a super food, as they are packed with an impressive list of nutritional attributes. Perfectly balanced with a three to one omega-6 to omega-3 oil ratio, they are also an excellent source of gamma linoleic and acid. Containing 10 essential amino acids, hemp seeds are composed of over thirty percent pure protein, making them an excellent daily protein source. They are also composed of 40 percent fiber, the highest amount of any grain on earth! Also containing disease-fighting phytosterols, studies show that hemp seeds, or even hemp milk, support heart health and can provide nutritional support against many unpleasant disaease. 2. Sunflower Seeds The perfect phytochemical-rich seed for those of us looking to lose weight, as they promote healthy digestion and increase fiber intake. Sunflower seeds are also extremely rich in folate, a very important nutrient for women. They are packed full of good fats, antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, selenium and copper, all crucial elements in supporting heart health and balancing troublesome cellular damage. 3. Sesame seeds Traditional societies have touted the positive benefits of this seed for thousands of years. Sesame seeds are very high in calcium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, iron, B1 and phosphorus; sesame seeds are unique in their chemical structure. Possessing important cholesterol-fighting fibers known as lignans, studies show that these seeds can lower blood pressure, as well as protect the liver from damage. Sesame seeds also may help prevent many health problems, Including PMS. 4. Pumpkin Seeds Some scientific studies have shown that the components of pumpkin seeds may stop the triggering of cancerous behavior in male prostate cells. Pumpkin seeds are high in a form of antioxidant known as carotenoids,a special plant derivative that enhances immune activity and disease fighting capacities. These seeds are alsohigh in omega-3 fatty acids and zinc, two important nutrients that may play a role in supporting skeletalhealth. Finally, pumpkin seed are high in phytosterols, plant components that aid in keeping stable