Health Benefits of Seeds

Good Things Come in Small Packages 
Suddenly, seeds are everywhere—smoothies, sporting events, bars, etc. For little snacks, seeds are nutritional powerhouses. But which ones deliver the health benefits your customers are searching for most? Here are some of our favorites:

Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are popular for weight loss. They reduce food cravings by preventing some of your food from getting absorbed into your system and can also help your diet by making you feel full since they absorb 10 times their weight in water, forming a bulky gel. They are the richest plant source of Omega-3 and can help reduce your blood pressure.

Flax Seeds
To get the health benefits, you’ll either have to chop or grind whole flax seed. Only grind what you need, as flax seed tends to spoil quickly once it’s ground.  A serving of flax seed definitely pulls its weight nutritionally though. It’s a good source of protein and fiber, plus contains plenty of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and brain-boosting vitamin B1.

Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, phosphorous and iron. Salted roasted pumpkin seeds are great in salads or just for snacking. They offer a high-protein snack that is easy to grab for post-workout. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of dietary fiber to support a healthy digestive system and offer 15% of the recommended daily value for iron.

Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are extremely beneficial for health as they include the ability to prevent diabetes, lower blood pressure, build strong bones, increase heart health, help with sleep disorders, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, boost respiratory health, strengthen oral health, improve circulation and detoxify the body.

Sunflower Seeds
Snacking on protein-rich sunflower seeds can help lower your blood pressure. They are also a good source of Vitamin E which promotes healthy circulation by helping you make red blood cells. Vitamin B-1, or thiamine, activates enzymes within your cells, helping you derive energy from food. Sunflower seeds are also a good source of copper which makes melanin, a pigment protein that helps give your skin and hair their color.