Written by: Deanna Garcia
Seeds are living foods and plants go to great lengths to produce each and every seed they produce. They’re packed with vital nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, essential oils and enzymes. In order to benefit from a seed’s high quality nutrients, humans need to consume them in their rawest form! All seeds (beans, legumes and nuts) contains anti-nutrients in the seed coat. These anti nutrients include phytates (or phytic acid), enzyme inhibitors and polyphenols (tannins) which can be very toxic. They function as nature’s defense against sun radiation, insects predators, bacterias, viruses and molds. These are naturally removed in the presence of enough rain which causes a plant to grow. So by soaking our seeds before eating them, we’re actually mimicking nature by how she intended them to be consumed.
All grains contain phytic acid in the outer layer of it’s seed. When not properly treated the phytic acid binds to minerals, such as zinc, iron, magnesium and calcium, in our gastrointestinal tract which then prevents absorption. In order to properly digest your food, your body requires digestive enzymes. Enzyme inhibitors will block or clog these enzymes from doing their job. Ever notice seed remnants in your stools the next day? This is evidence you didn’t properly digest those seeds! If phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors are consumed regularly, they can also block our body’s ability to absorb protein. Together, this can lead to nutritional deficiencies potentially causing tooth decay, skin irritation, allergies, anemia, hormonal issues, impaired immune function and digestive inflammation.
By soaking your seeds overnight (for at least 12-18 hours) it neutralizes these anti nutrients allowing their enzymes and nutrients to be released and absorbed when consumed. This is how our ancestors prepared them but unfortunately, it’s a process that’s been lost with modern food processing.
Soaking is super easy to do. All you need is a glass or ceramic bowl (avoid plastic), purified drinking water to soak (and rinse) and 1 tsp of sea salt! The salt helps to activate their enzymes and deactivate the enzyme inhibitors. Be aware, there may be some seed expansion after a few hours of soaking in the water. So you may need to add more water as time passes. We know what you may be thinking: you don’t have time to soak your seeds, nuts, beans, etc. As busy parents of 3, trust me, we do understand! However, you don’t want to eat something that could be dangerous to your health because you missed a simple step. Nor do you want to miss out on all the amazing health benefits seeds have to offer! There are places you can buy your seeds and nuts pre soaked! Try Whole Foods, Mother’s Market (if you live in CA) or even online: www.natesrawharvest.com or Amazon!
Here are four of the Top healthiest Seeds and their Benefits (all of which we used in Our Seed Delight Bar Recipe):
1. Pumpkin Seeds: Known for the alkalinity-they’re loaded with vitamin B, contain L-Tryptophan (found to elevate mood), are great for kidney stone prevention and can even fight some parasites, like tapeworms.
2. Flax Seeds: High in Alpha Linolenic Acid (an anti-inflammatory), lignans and phytoestrogens (which both help stabilize hormone levels reducing menopause and PMS like symptoms) and fiber (great for lowering blood cholesterol).
3. Hemp Seeds: Contains all 20 amino acids our bodies can’t produce, used to treat nutritional deficiencies, great for heart and immune health (they’re a near perfect 3:1 ratio of omega 6: omega 3), and are a rich source of phytonutrients (which protect our bodies’ tissues, cells and skin organs).
4. Sunflower Seeds (our favorite!): Excellent source of vitamin E (which helps neutralize free radicals, and a great source of magnesium (which can help with reducing asthmatic symptoms, lower blood pressure and prevent migraines)!
