Health Benefits of Seeds - Grape Seeds, Flax, Sunflower, Fennel and More

Sometimes there are greater, or at least different, health benefits in the seeds than in the food which the seed produces. Like grape seeds which reduce the appearance of varicose veins, flaxseeds which prevent mood swings due to hormonal imbalances or sunflower seeds which banish the blues and make you feel happy. Give these seeds a try and reap their health benefits.

End Varicose Veins with Grape Seeds

Grape seeds are chocked full of antioxidants called oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPC) which strengthen capillaries. The stronger capillaries you have, the less likely you are to develop spider veins or varicose veins. Even if you already have unsightly varicose veins, grape seeds can help reduce their appearance by reducing swelling and shrinking arterial walls. As an added bonus, grape seeds contains Flavonoids which helps keep skin smooth and soft by protecting skin cells from damage. Instead of buying costly grape seed extract, get the same health benefits from eating grapes with the seeds intact.

Flaxseeds Halt Hormonal Mood Swings

If you feel down in the dumps it could be due to low levels of progesterone, a hormone which usually takes a nose dive once we enter our 30's. Low levels of progesterone can make us feel tired, moody and forgetful, flaxseeds can raise the progesterone level and make us feel like our old selves again. Flaxseeds contain a hormone-like compound which increase progesterone in the body and makes the hormone work more efficiently.

Flaxseeds also contain fatty acids which have been proven to ease the depression.

Sunflower Seeds are Natural Anti-Depressants

Sunflower seeds are packed with folic acid, which increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the natural anti-depressant chemical found in the brain. Sunflower seeds also contain a high percentage of magnesium, a mineral which soothes adrenal glands and helps keep the stress hormone, Cortisol, in check.

Fennel Seeds Stop Cramps and Bad Breath

Menstrual cramps and bad breath have one thing in common, their nemesis, fennel seeds. Fennels seeds contain essential oils called Anethol and Fenchone which are proven muscle relaxers that work to keep menstrual cramps and bloating at bay. Start eating a few fennel seeds three days prior to the start of the monthly cycle for best results. And chewing on a small handful of fennel seeds, which tastes somewhat like licorice, neutralize the mouth odors which cause bad breath.

Lower Cholesterol with Sesame Seeds

A four week study revealed that eating 1 ½ ounces of toasted sesame seeds each day can lower cholesterol by up to 10% and help lower high blood pressure. Sesame seeds are the number one source of a compound called lignans, which blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.

Black Cumin Seeds Stop Indigestion

Spicy black cumin seeds contain over 100 chemical compounds, one of those compounds, called thymoquinone, stops indigestion. The thymoquinone is an antimicrobial that flushes toxins and bacteria from the intestines before they can cause indigestion and bloating.

Sources:

Quality Health

Varicose Veins Solutions - Grape Seeds for Varicose Veins

NaturalNews

WebMD

HealthandYoga - Fennel Seeds

Nutrition-and-You

Many Wonderful Benefits of Black Cumin Seeds

NewsMedical