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It can sometimes be challenging to get the recommended daily intake of all the vitamins and minerals you need. Vitamins and minerals are required for various body and brain functions. A deficiency in any of them will cause serious health issues. But the massive health benefits of tiny nuts and seeds ensures an easy way to add some extra goodness to your meals.
Peanuts
Peanuts are one of the world’s most consumed nuts, with over 600 million pounds eaten annually. Small and delicious, peanuts can be salted, roasted or ground for use in peanut butter. Peanut butter is used in many recipes like satay sauce and sweet buckeye candy you can make at home. These tiny nuts are packed full of vitamins, minerals and protein. While they contain a large amount of Mono and polyunsaturated fats, these are essential for reducing cholesterol. However, peanuts are one of the world’s most common allergens.
Poppy Seeds
You’ve probably enjoyed the delicate flavour of poppy seeds on your sandwiches. Still, you may not be aware of the fantastic health benefits of these tiny seeds. Poppy seeds are an excellent antioxidant condiment and contain high amounts of essential minerals. Exceptionally high is copper. Copper is used by your body to regulate the production of healthy red blood cells. Be aware, however, that consuming poppy seeds can indicate a positive drug test for opiates. So be careful when you eat them if you are regularly tested at work.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds aren’t used as much as others in recipes. Still, their oil is commonly used for frying since it can reach a high temperature before burning. The reason is that they are contained in rough husks and aren’t very tasty. Yet you can reap some great health benefits from consuming sunflower seeds. While they aren’t delicious, you can include them in your diet by grinding them in a smoothie or replacing butter with sunflower spread. Rich in vitamin E, sunflower seeds help prevent macular degeneration of your eye as you age.
Cashews
Among one of the tastiest nuts available, cashews are used in many recipes and enjoyed as a snack because of their naturally sweet flavour. The sugars in cashews make them suitable for topping desserts, stir-frying with Asain foods and baking cakes and cookies. Recent studies conclude that just a fistful of cashews per day provides massive health benefits. As well as being suitable for cardiovascular health, the high amount of selenium in cashews is excellent for your skin. Phytochemicals boost these effects that they contribute to preventing skin cancer.
Sesame Seeds
Like cashews, sesame seeds are used in Asian cooking. Additionally, they’re a common topping for burger buns. While they are bland when eaten raw, cooking them brings out a wonderful sweet and nutty flavour. Sesame oil is also used as a flavouring in many Asian recipes. And like superfoods, these tiny seeds pack a massive punch of health as well. Three tablespoons of sesame seeds provide a quarter of your RDI for many minerals. Calcium, magnesium, zinc and manganese are found inside. These are all necessary for strong and healthy bone development.