Nuts and seeds often contain a large amount of nutritious minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats. They can be used to add more texture to a salad or you can munch on them for a healthy snack.
As healthy as they are, nuts and seeds contain a moderate amount of enzyme inhibitors that prevent your body from being able to absorb all of the nutrients in the food. To deal with this minor problem, the best solution is to soak seeds and nuts to help improve their nutrition.
#1 – Nuts and Seeds Contain Enzyme Inhibitors
Enzyme inhibitors are molecules that prevent enzymes from working the way that they should. Enzyme inhibitors, found in most nuts and seeds, can bind to other nutrients, limiting the amount of nutrition that you get. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and even digestive problems.
Essentially, it is difficult for your body to fully absorb and process the nutrients contained in nuts and seeds.
#2 – Higher Levels of Phytic Acid
One of the enzyme inhibitors contained in nuts and seeds, phytic acid, is found in almost all plants, to protect it during growth, but nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes contain the highest levels of phytic acid. This enzyme inhibitor can have a major impact on your overall health, if you consume too much of it.
A diet that contains an abundance of grains and nuts could lead to an efficient digestive system and metabolism, making it difficult to lose weight or stay in shape.
#3 – Soaking Nuts and Seeds Increases Nutrition
By soaking your nuts and seeds, you can increase their nutritional value. Your body will be able to absorb more of the nutrients and protein. You can make your own mineral solution for soaking the nuts and seeds, which will help to break down the phytic acid. Limiting the phytic acid in the nuts and seeds makes them healthier and easier to digest.
How to Soak Your Nuts and Seeds
As mentioned, you can make your own mineral solution. All you need is warm water and salt. The warm water will help neutralize enzyme inhibitors, while exposing nutrients.
Take 2 cups of raw nuts or seeds. Only soak one type of food at a time. Place 3 to 4 cups of warm water in a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water and allow it to dissolve. Place your nuts or seeds in the bowl, ensuring that they are fully submerged.
Leave the nuts or seeds soaking in the bowl, sitting uncovered on your counter, for 7 hours. After the 7 hours, rinse the nuts or seeds in a colander and pour onto a baking sheet. Bake them in the oven, at 150 degrees or less, until they are dry.
You could also use a dehydrator, if you have one. The average time for using a dehydrator to dry out the nuts or seeds is 24 hours.
This process takes a bit of time, so you will need to plan ahead. You may want to soak your nuts or seeds as soon as you bring them home from the store, so that they are ready to eat or use on a salad, whenever you want.
To increase the amount of nutrition that you get out of nuts or seeds – make sure that you soak them.
References:http://wellnessmama.com/59139/soaking-nuts-seeds/
