Sabja seeds (Basil seeds) uses and benefits

• High in fiber .

• May help you feel full.

• May support gut health.

• May improve cholesterol.

• May aid blood sugar control.

Acts as a Natural Body Coolant

Sabja seeds are known to reduce body heat and have a soothing effect on the stomach. These seeds can be part of a variety of drinks like lemonades, coconut milk, milkshakes, smoothies, yogurt,coconut water.  etc.

Reduces Blood Sugar Levels

Sabja seeds were proven to have eminent anti-diabetic potential. Sabja seeds are high in fibre. When sabja seeds were regularly given to diabetics just prior to meals, it prevented the spike in blood glucose levels. Thus, sabja seeds were found to be useful in maintaining blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 Diabetes.

Sabja seeds have been found to possess anti-diabetes properties. In several studies, it was observed that if people consume Sabja seeds just before a meal, their blood sugar level does not shoot up after the meal. By keeping blood sugar levels steady after a meal, Sabja seeds can help manage diabetes better.

Relieves Constipation & Acidity

Sabja seeds are rich in soluble fibre. When these seeds are added to our diet with a good quantity of water, they absorb water and thus help in drawing water to our gut. This results in the softening of faeces and promotes daily bowel movement. Thus, people suffering from constipation get tremendous relief by making sabja a part of their daily diet.

Sabja seeds contain pectin among many other soluble fibres. Pectin is proved to have prebiotic benefits. It is thus important in modulating the composition and metabolism of the complex gut microbiota and thereby increasing the number of good bacteria in the gut.

This also helps in relieving acidity to a great extent.

Aids in Weight Loss

Sabja seeds contain protein and soluble fibre. Both these nutrients stay in your digestive system for a long time. This means that when you consume Sabja seeds, you won’t feel hungry for a long period of time. No appetite means no cravings for unhealthy snacks. This helps you stay in shape or lose weight.

Sabja seeds are high in soluble dietary fibre and help a person feel full and satisfied. They also regulate our bowel movement and thus help in cleansing our body from accumulated toxins.

The soluble fermentable fibre pectin is helpful in increasing satiety and decreasing caloric intake and adiposity while on a high-fat diet. It also produces a fermentation environment more likely to promote hindgut health.

Reduction in calorie intake thus leads to weight loss.

Regularizes bowel movement

High fibre content also ensures that the bowel movement is regularized. Constipation is caused when you don’t drink enough water and the large intestine is forced to suck water out of the faeces. But when you consume fibres and lots of water, soluble fibres draw water to the large intestines and this softens the stool.

People with heart conditions are especially recommended to consume high-fibre foods because straining while clearing their bowels puts pressure on the heart.

A Powerhouse of Minerals

Sabja seeds are a rich source of iron, calcium and magnesium.

Sabja seeds are the best source to increase iron and calcium levels in case of deficiency.

Calcium and magnesium are required for the optimal functioning of muscles and bone. Iron is needed to maintain haemoglobin levels, which is the protein required to transport oxygen in the blood.

May Prevent the Risk of Heart Diseases

Sabja seeds contain an average of 2.4 grams of fat per 1-tablespoon. Of this fat, about half – 1,260 mg per tablespoon – is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fat.

The beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids include effects on lipids, blood pressure, cardiac and vascular function, eicosanoids, coagulation, and immunological responses. They thus decrease the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension and stroke, and their complications.

Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Carcinogenic Properties

Having a diet rich in flavonoids may reduce the risk of cancer and heart diseases.

Sabja seeds are a good source of  flavonoids and polyphenols. Flavonoids are the largest group of phytonutrients, known for their anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties coupled with their capacity to modulate key cellular enzyme function.

Oral Health Benefits

Sabja seeds have proven anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Helpful in curing mouth ulcers.

May Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Pectin, a type of soluble fibre present in sabja seeds may lower the cholesterol levels. It prevents the absorption of cholesterol in our gut.

May Reduce Stress & Anxiety

Sabja seeds may have a calming effect on the body as well as the mind by reducing stress, tension, and anxiety.

Sabja seeds are rich in flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids. Their anti-oxidant activity is also shown to have memory-enhancing properties.