Seeds have a physical and chemical barrier system that allows them to survive in harsh environments. The problem with these barriers is that they can produce heavy digestion and prevent taking advantage of the nutritional richness of the seed. For this reason, they must be activated.
Activating seeds is nothing more than subjecting them to ideal conditions of temperature and humidity so that they can germinate and thus reach their maximum nutritional potential. At the same time, its digestion is facilitated.
The first step to activate any seed is to wash it with plenty of water, to remove the soil and any dirt it may contain. Now yes, one by one, we will see how to activate the most used seeds on a daily basis.
CHIA
It is especially rich in omega 3 fatty acids, a type of fat that plays an extremely beneficial role for cardiovascular health. To activate them, they must be placed in a glass with water, juice or another drink, stirred with a spoon and left for 15-30 minutes.
By putting them in a liquid medium, they generate a kind of gelatin, called mucilage, which protects the intestinal wall and promotes motility. For this reason, it cannot be discarded and must be consumed together with the seed, which may not be pleasant for some people. Even so, numerous preparations can be made from this gelatin, for example, yogurt, mousse, it can be mixed with granola, raisins, fresh fruits, greatly improving its acceptance.
Another way is to consume the crushed seed with a mortar or grinder, or buy it already crushed and keep it in a dark and cool environment. This is necessary because, being such small seeds, they are not usually chewed and pass through the digestive tract unchanged, without taking advantage of the potential benefits of their fatty acids.
SESAME
It stands out for its contribution of calcium, but, as it also contains oxalates, it is important to activate them, because they are responsible for “sequestering” calcium, reducing its availability. For that, we can grind them at the time of consumption and toast them to give them more flavor.
Sesame seeds do not need to be soaked, unless you want to make non-dairy milk. In this case, the soaking time should not exceed two hours, otherwise the seed will acquire a bitter taste.
LINEN
It is also rich in omega 3 and antioxidants and stands out for its contribution of Vitamin B1 (a key nutrient for the nervous system). Like chia, it is necessary to soak it to make the most of it and the water used should not be discarded, since it forms mucilage.
You can also buy the whole seed and grind it at the time of consumption. If they are bought already ground, it is important to keep in mind that they can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of six weeks. After that time, they begin to become rancid and are no longer fit for consumption.