Benefits, Uses & Side Effects of Sabja Seeds
The growing need for organic seeds has taken over the market. People are always in search of food that provides them with nutrition and health.
Sabja seeds were traditionally used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedha medicine.
The tiny black seeds are packed with nutrition and the power of nature. Soon after people realize its worth, people in the Western world started adding it to their diet.
Sabja Seed is also commonly referred to as the sweet basil seed or tukmaria. The seeds belong to the sweet basil plant.
It is essential to know that it is different from the basil that we commonly use in our food. Sabja seeds are cultivated in tropical regions of the world.
Nutritional Content of Sabja Seeds
Sabja Seeds are packed with nutrition. It contains calories, Omega 3 fat, dietary fiber, protein, and alpha-linolenic acid.
It also has a number of minerals such as calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamin E, and magnesium.
The Best Way to Eat Sabja Seeds
Sabja Seeds are soaked in water for about 10 minutes. After this, the seeds become coated in white gelatinous like substance.
They can then be added to whatever juices or drinks that you like. Apart from drinks, sabja seeds can also be added to salads to add to the nutritional values of the salad itself. Protect the seeds from moisture so that they do not get spoiled.
Health Benefits of Sabja
Sabja seeds have many medicinal properties. However, these properties are not supported by researches.
This is because people are still in the process of getting to know about their benefits.
1. Cooling effect
Sabja seeds are best to counter the effects of heat. Nothing tastes like a drink made with sabja seeds on a hot summer day.
People in Asian countries regularly use Sabja seeds to treat heatstroke.
2. Smooth Digestion
Sabja seeds help with digestion. They work as a detox for the gastrointestinal tract.
The fiber in the sabja seeds aid with keeping the digestive tract right on track.
3. Weight Loss
There are many constituents in the Sabja seeds that are best for losing weight. They help to keep your tummy full.
The person does not crave food that results in weight gain.
MEDICAL USES
1. Constipation
The Sabja seeds have a gel around them. When the sabja seeds are soaked in water, this gel-like covering functions as an emollient.
The sabja seeds have a laxative effect because of the high amount of fiber that it has.
The Sabja seeds help in the movement of bowel in the digestive tract. It is also helpful in the timely movement of bowel right when you wake up.
2. Obesity
Obesity is a global problem. It is more prominently seen in developed countries. Many people enroll in weight reduction programs and diets.
Sabja seeds aid in the process of weight loss because they make the person feel full.
It subsides the feeling of cravings, and because it has high nutritional properties, the person does not become deficient in nutrients. Alpha-linolenic acid present in the sabja seeds burns fat.
Eat is advised to take sabja seeds before a meal so that you can avoid overeating. People can also add them to salads or yogurts as diet food.
3. Diabetes
Sabja seeds help in the regulation of blood sugar levels. These seeds are wonder miracles for type 2 diabetic patients.
The saba seeds can be added to milk or even cold water to gain this benefit.
4. Ulcers and Acidity
Sabja seeds are very beneficial for people who suffer from heartburn. People who suffer from acidity develop stomach ulcers. Having stomach ulcers is a lifelong painful condition.
The Sabja seeds are helpful in this case because they neutralize the acid.
The high gel-like content around the seeds also protects the lining of the stomach from the burning. So, if you want quick relief from heartburn or acidity, try a spoonful of sabja seeds.
5. Skin and Hair
The Sabja seeds are not only useful when consumed. They are also beneficial when applied topically.
Traditional medicine utilized the antibacterial and antifungal properties of sabja seeds for this purpose.
Sabja seeds are highly effective for the treatment of several skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Sabja seeds help to add volume to hair.
The high protein and iron content in the sabja seeds make the hair bouncier and shiny. Furthermore, vitamin K in these seeds helps in maintaining a healthy scalp and skin.
6. Anemia
Anemia is characterized by low levels of hemoglobin. Anemia increases the chances of developing other types of health diseases, and if left untreated can be fatal for the patient.
Iron and vitamin K present in Sabja seeds help in maintaining the required levels of hemoglobin in the blood.
Side Effects of Sabja
Sabja seeds are safe to consume. They do not have any interactions with other medications or food. Sabja seeds are well tolerated by almost everyone.
The seeds, when taken in reasonable quantities, do not have any side effects. But overconsumption might have some side effects.
It is advised to not exceed the daily requirement to more than two tablespoons.
1. Sabja seeds should not be given to children or to people with a choking problem. The seeds have a choking hazard.
2. Overconsumption of sabja seeds causes diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
3. Overconsumption of sabja seeds may also cause gastrointestinal side effects. It may cause people to lose appetite.
4. Some people may feel light-headed. This is because it causes a lowering of blood glucose levels.
5. Many general practitioners do not recommend pregnant women to consume sabja seeds. Sabja seeds may affect levels of estrogen in women.
6. It is also not advised for people who recently have had surgery or have wounds. This is because it has a blood-thinning effect. Therefore, it is recommended not to eat sabja seeds for at least half a month before surgery.
CONCLUSION
Sabja seeds or sweet basil seeds are tiny seeds with blasts of nutrition. Their taste and texture make them a yummy component of the dessert, salad, or even the main course.
However, apart from their culinary value, they have great medicinal importance as well.
Overconsumption of sabja seeds may also cause a reversal of effects. So it is advised to consume sabja seeds in nominal amounts to prevent the side effects.