Nutritionist Shares Why Flax, Chia, Sunflower And Sesame Seeds Can Be Harmful To You

Side-Effects Of Seeds: If you are a foodie you would relate to mindless scrolling through delicious but quick recipes on Instagram. However, this article is going to bombard you with crucial information about your health. We see many nutritionists and influencers promoting people to include seeds in their diet.

When you closely observe Indo-Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisines, they use sesame seeds quite a lot. While there is no denying that seeds are a rich source of protein for vegans and vegetarians, it is important to watch the quantity of consumption because it can be harmful to your health.

We spoke to nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, CEO and Founder, iThrive, to understand how flax, chia, sesame, and sunflower seeds can be harmful to your body. You read it right, we just named the four seeds that are often spotted in viral cooking videos.

The nutritionist said, “Some seeds like black seed (Nigella Sativa) and fennel can have positive medicinal effects due to effects like hormesis wherein controlled exposure to stressors induces positive effects. Black seeds have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties.”

Side-effects Of Flax Seeds

The nutritionist shared that flax seeds contain phytoestrogen, which is known to affect hormonal balance. We all know what kind of havoc hormonal imbalance can create in our bodies. It can affect our period cycle, lead to weight gain, and impact the reproductive system in many ways.

The seeds also contain cyanogenic glycosides in small amounts. The component can release cyanide when metabolised in the body. Therefore, it is important to understand how much flax seeds you can or should consume.

The nutritionist also advised against grinding or breaking down these seeds because the process leads to the release of anti-nutrients, which can harm your body in many ways.

Side-effects Of Sunflower Seeds

Pradhan said that sunflower seeds contain omega-6-rich fats. They are associated with causing inflammation in the body. It can lead to high blood pressure among people struggling to manage diabetes.

Hence, if you are thinking about them in your diet. You should speak to an expert to understand if you even need to consume them. They will help you with the right amount of seeds that you can include in your diet and how.

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Side-effects Of Chia Seeds

How many drinks have you seen in Instagram reels that make refreshing beverages with chia seeds as one of the key ingredients? There is no doubt that they are good for health. Do you know that like flaxseeds, they also release anti-nutrients when broken down?

The nutritionist advised consuming them after soaking them overnight and consuming them whole. She added that their jelly-like texture can help people struggling with constipation.

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Side-effects Of Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are also high in omega-6-rich fats. They are also not advised to people who are prone to allergies and battle with food sensitivities. The nutritionist said that many people eat sesame seeds for calcium, however, it is not a bioavailable component in these seeds. Sesame seeds contain a few compounds that inhibit absorption.

Stay tuned to HerZindagi for more advice on diet and nutrition.

Disclaimer: Whether you have an underlying condition or not, you must always speak to your doctor or nutritionist before modifying your diet. Only a specialist can guide you to create a diet chart that ensures your meals are wholesome and contain all the essential nutrients required by your body.