Believe it or not, basil seeds are full of nutrients and many consider them a super food. Additionally, when you purchase dried basil seeds, they will plump up in just minutes, where the popular chia seeds can take several hours. Before you dive into using basil seeds regularly, you should learn about the benefits they offer. When you do this, you can clearly see why they should be implemented as a part of your day to day diet and routine.
Important Information about Basil Seeds
Basil seeds, which are also referred to as sabja seeds, are best known for their presence in Asian drinks. However, they are also used for medicinal purposes in China and India. The seeds plump up just like the chia seeds and can be used in an interchangeable manner for most recipes. There are some people who even use the basil seeds for a boost in their morning smoothies. Since they are like chia seeds in the fact they do not have any flavor, they are extremely versatile, able to be used with virtually any food or recipe.
Specific Health Benefits
In addition to offering versatility, basil seeds offer a number of health benefits as well, including:
1. Cooking features for drinks such as sherbets, nimbu pani, rood afza and falooda.
2. Good for cold symptoms such as sore throats and other respiratory disorders.
3. They aid in digestion and can relieve constipation.
4. Provide effective stress relieving benefits to improve your mood.
5. Great for all types of skin infections.
6. Can help to curb your appetite, making them a great weight loss aid.
Basil Seeds of Nutritional Benefits
In addition to health benefits, basil seeds also offer a number of nutritional benefits, including:
1. Antioxidant benefits from the polyphenolic flavonoids: Vicenin and Orietin.
2. Rich in various essential oils, such as terpineol, citral, limonene, linalool, citronellol and eugenol.
3. Free from cholesterol and low in the total calories.
4. Provide high levels of Vitamin K, Vitamin A, zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta carotene.
5. Possesses large amounts of essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, copper, manganese, potassium, folates and Vitamin C.
If you are planning to use basil seeds for the health benefits they offer, it is important to properly prepare them. In most cases this will include placing them in juice or other liquid in order to plump them up. Once this occurs, the antioxidants will be released, ensuring you receive the full health benefits they offer. While many people may not realize the extensive health benefits offered by basil seeds, the fact is they offer quite a few that you may need to experience in order to fully believe. After all, this is not a typical “super food,” though it does have potential to become known as one.