3) POMEGRANATE SEEDS
Serving Size = 1/2 Cup
Pomegranates have been rising to the surface in the consumer world as popular seeds to eat, and for good reason. The seeds are a rich source of antioxidants, which helps to protect your body’s cells from free radicals. Free radicals cause premature aging of the body, something that nobody wants.
The juice of a pomegranate pumps up the level of oxygen in your blood and the antioxidants fight free radicals and prevent blood clots. The combination of this reaction eventually helps the blood to flow freely in your body. Pomegranates are especially high in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant thought to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. In fact, pomegranate juice has higher antioxidant activity than green tea and red wine, two beverages promoted as having high health benefits if consumed daily.
The pomegranate, whose edible seeds inside juicy sacs, is high in vitamin C and potassium, low in calories, and a good source of fiber. The antioxidant properties prevent the hardening of the artery walls with excess fat, leaving your arteries fat-free, pumping with antioxidants and oxygen. It’s also proven to reduce the damage and inflammation of the cartilage for those suffering from arthritic bones.
4) FLAX SEEDS
Serving Size = 1-2 Tsp (ground)
Dietary fiber from flaxseed modulates appetite by suppressing the rises in blood levels of lipids after a meal. Research states that flax fiber supports weight loss because of the way it suppresses appetite.
Flax has been historically used by many huge figures, such as Hippocrates, who wrote about using flax for the relief of abdominal pains. French Emperor Charlemagne favored flax seed so much that he even passed legislation requiring its consumption for good health.
The main health benefits of flax seed are due to its rich content of Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), dietary fiber, and lignans. Through the reactions of the ALA and lignans in the seeds, flax has been shown to block tumor growth in animals and may could reduce the risk of cancer in humans.
Women that are having trouble with PMS and menopause could benefit from flax seeds because lignans are phytoestrogens, which is a plant compound that stabilizes hormonal levels and reduces the symptoms of PMS and menopause. By acting as a hormonal agent, it could also reduce the risk of developing breast and prostate cancer.
The fiber in flax seed promotes healthy bowel function. One tablespoon of whole flax seed contains as much fiber as half a cup of cooked oat bran. Flax’s soluble fibers can lower blood cholesterol levels, helping reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Ground flax seed provides more nutritional benefits than does the whole seed. Grind the seeds at home using a coffee grinder or blender, and add them to cereals, baked goods and smoothies for additional nutrition that you’ll barely taste.
5) PUMPKIN SEEDS
Serving Size = 1/2 Cup
They are the only seed that is alkaline-forming in this world of highly acidic diets. Add pumpkin seeds to your list of foods rich in protein. 100 grams of seeds on a daily basis provide 54 percent of the daily requirement in terms of protein, which is perfect for those avoiding meat.
Many people are deficient in vitamin B-complex and they take vitamin supplements to counteract that. Try eating pumpkin seeds instead of taking pills in the future because they are a good source for vitamin B like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 and folates. Pumpkin seeds can also help combat depression since the chemical component L-tryptophan found in the seeds is known to boost your mood.
Studies suggest that pumpkin seeds can help prevent certain kidney stone formations like calcium oxalate kidney stone. Pumpkin seeds have even shown that they can fight nasty internal parasites, especially tapeworms.
6) APRICOT SEEDS
Serving Size = 1/4 Cup
Apricot kernels are, like most nuts and seeds, very nutritious but largely overlooked. Among the nutrients they contain is one called amygdalin, which is also known as vitamin B17. This vitamin attacks cancer cells and can help prevent cancer from taking over our bodies.
Amygdalin exists in hundreds of different foods, but ones that are particularly rich in amygdalin, such as apricot seeds, have largely disappeared from the Western diet for a number of reasons. People throughout the world who still eat a traditional diet have been found to be largely free from cancer, which is no coincidence. These diets are rich in foods containing amygdalin, so they are regularly combatting cancer through the foods they eat.
Apart from apricot kernels, examples of other amygdalin-rich foods are bitter almonds (amygdalin tastes bitter – sweet almonds do not contain it, and apricot kernels that are not bitter do not contain it). Other foods containing amygdalin are apple pips, grape seeds, millet, broad beans, most berries, cassava and many other seeds, beans, pulses and grains – but not ones that have been highly hybridized. Though some of these are unusual items, they can be found in a variety of markets that specialize in carrying wholesome foods.
Dr Ernst T Krebs Jr., the biochemist who first produced laetrile (concentrated amygdalin) in the 1950s, said that if a person would eat ten to twelve apricot kernels a day for life then they are likely to be cancer-free.
