Seeds such as hemp, chia or pumpkin seeds are very popular for healthy eating. But can they also support students in everyday university life? In addition to raisins, the classic trail mix mainly consists of various types of nuts. It therefore contains numerous minerals and protein, but also lots of fat and carbohydrates. It provides plenty of energy to put the brain into turbo mode. And during a particularly boring lecture or while preparing for a test, students need all the help they can get to concentrate. Over time, trail mix can become pretty monotonous. And some nuts don't have much nutritional value to offer other than pure energy. Seeds, on the other hand, are not only full of energy, but often also contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. They could therefore be an ideal snack while studying.
Which seeds are suitable for students?
Basically, all seeds are good sources of energy because most of them are full of fat and protein. However, some seeds are better for snacking than others. Sunflower seeds, for example, contain a lot of omega-6 fatty acids and should therefore only be enjoyed in moderation. However, seeds such as chia, linseed or hemp are recommended. They contain a balanced amount of health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids and various minerals and trace elements. That's why an entire industry has sprung up around the production and marketing of such seeds. Seed breeders like Barney's Farm from the Netherlands have been working on the perfect hemp seeds for years and have numerous different varieties in their catalog. However, feminized Pineapple Express seeds are too good to be enjoyed as a student snack; classic industrial hemp seeds are more suitable for this. Chia seeds, on the other hand, are obtained from a Mexican plant species that has been cultivated almost unchanged for centuries.
That's what science says
To date, there has been little research into how seeds affect concentration. Most studies on this topic have been carried out on nuts. However, the results can certainly be transferred because the composition of seeds and nuts is similar. Ultimately, both fulfill the same task: they must contain everything needed to enable the growth of a new generation of plants. Fat is known to be an excellent source of energy, both for a plant germ and for the human brain . B vitamins are also involved in many important metabolic processes in the brain and trace elements such as zinc or iron are required as building blocks for enzymes. All of these substances are present in large quantities in seeds. The omega-3 fatty acids in chia or hemp seeds can also help reduce inflammation in the body.
Practical snacks made from seeds
If you want, you can of course simply put a bowl of your favorite seeds at your desk. However, this isn't particularly practical because they are simply too small to be used as snacks. There are now more and more muesli bars with seeds as the main ingredient available to buy, especially in health food stores. They taste good and are practical – but are often quite expensive. And most commercial manufacturers don't skimp on sugar either. Luckily, it's also very easy to bake your own sugar-free seed bar.
