Activating seeds is nothing more than subjecting them to ideal temperature and humidity conditions 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 soil and any dirt it may contain. Now, 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 in cardiovascular health. To activate them, they must be placed in a glass with water, juice or another drink, stir with a spoon and leave for 15-30 minutes.
When placed in a liquid medium, they generate a type of gelatin, called mucilage, which protects the intestinal wall and promotes motility. For this reason, it cannot be discarded and must be consumed along 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 seed crushed with a mortar or grinder, or buy it already crushed and keep it in a dark and cool environment. This is necessary because since they are such small seeds, they are not usually chewed and pass through the digestive tract unaltered, without taking advantage of the potential benefits of their fatty acids.
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SESAME
It stands out for its calcium content, but, as it also contains oxalates, it is important to activate them, because these are responsible for “sequestering” the 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 vegetable milk. In this case, the soaking time should not be more than two hours because otherwise the seed will acquire a bitter taste.
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It is also rich in omega 3 and antioxidants and stands out for its contribution of Vitamin B1 (key nutrient for the nervous system). Like chia, it needs to be soaked to get the most out of it and the water used should not be discarded, as it forms mucilage.
You can also buy the whole seed and grind it at the time of consumption. If you buy them already ground, it is important to keep in mind that they can stay in the refrigerator for a maximum of six weeks. After that time, they begin to go rancid and are no longer suitable for consumption.