Lotus is a national flower of India, also it has more plantations in India over any other countries in the world. But it is Indians who are mostly unaware of its goodness and health benefits. Some the medicinal properties of lotus seeds are in fact surprising. Lotus seeds are found at the base part of the lotus flower. These lotus seeds are commonly sold and easily available in China and Cambodia. Ancient Chinese medicine sciences have a special place for these seeds for its nutritional and medicinal properties. But it is a hard fact that most of us are unaware of its health benefits and how to consume it. So let us look into its health benefits in this article.
Nutritional values of lotus seeds
- 100 grams of lotus seeds contains about 350 calories, 63-68 grams of carbohydrates, 17-18 grams of protein, 1.9 – 2.5 grams of fat, and rest of it ( about 13%) is water and minerals.
- Some of the mineral salts present in it include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.
- Lotus seeds contain lesser amount of fiber and vitamins.
What are the health benefits?
Diarrhoea
It helps to cure long-lasting diarrhea. So, people who are suffering from this problem can get good results by consuming it.
Heart diseases
We become more vulnerable to the heart attack when there is lesser levels of magnesium in our body. As lotus seeds contain high levels of magnesium it increases blood circulation and oxygen levels in our body thereby reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Blood pressure
Lotus seeds have high levels of potassium and low levels of sodium. So, it relaxes the blood vessels and controls blood pressure more effectively.
Anti-ageing properties
Lotus seeds contain enzymes that retard the cell aging process. Additionally, these enzymes repair the damaged protein. Due to this reason, many cosmetic companies use enzymes present in lotus seeds in their anti-ageing products.
Antidepressant Agent
Some scientific studies on lotus seeds reveal it has the capacity to reduce stress and depression. It has the ability to relax muscles, nerves, and induce sleep. On the similar lines, it is used as an antidepressant and anti-stress medicine in traditional medicine systems.
How to Consume it?
Lotus seeds are now widely available in many grocery stores and supermarkets. It can be soaked in water for few minutes and used for salads and other foods. Dry lotus seeds can be roasted into popcorn form and consumed as a snack.
