Can these ‘magical seeds’ give you ‘glass skin’?

The concept of “glass skin” — an exceptionally clear, smooth, and radiant skin that resembles the flawless and reflective surface of glass — has become the beauty and skincare industry’s gold standard. Many people are willing to go to great extremes to achieve this dewy, luminous complexion. If this nutritionist on Instagram is to go by, then you can get ‘glass skin’ with these ‘magical seeds’.

“We all want glass-looking skin. We all want luscious hair. We want our skin not to show our age. For this, we buy so many expensive Korean products and whatnot. But I am going to tell you how you can achieve glass-looking skin while sitting at home,” says Sakshi Lalwani through a post.

She advises using retinol for this. “You must be thinking that I already use retinol. Well, no. I am not talking about topical application, but I am talking about the retinol that goes inside our body. You can get this through Halim or Aliv seeds,” Lalwani explains.

Stating the benefits of the same, she says, “These are packed with retinol, antioxidants, fibre, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. These magical seeds also help in reducing stress, and inflammation, aid weight loss, and are superb for thyroid.”

To include these seeds in your diet, the nutritionist recommends soaking 1 tsp of them in water at night. “Till morning, they will turn puffy. Now, you can gulp them with the water. Just look at the magic in one week,” she says.

Sounds too good to be true? We reached out to experts to investigate.

It’s crucial to remember that a balanced and varied diet, along with a healthy lifestyle, is key to reaping the maximum benefits from any food item, including Halim seeds. (Source: Freepik)

Halim seeds, also known as Aliv seeds, are the tiny seeds derived from the garden cress plant. “In India, these seeds are also called Holan or Chandrasura. They fall under the category of ‘functional foods’, which besides providing nutrition, promote overall health and well-being while keeping diseases at bay,” Sangeeta Tiwari, clinical nutritionist, Artemis Lite NFC, told indianexpress.com.

However, there is no evidence suggesting that Halim seeds contain retinol. “While they do not directly provide retinol, a form of vitamin A that is essential for several bodily functions like vision and skin health, Halim seeds have a lot of benefits,” said Dr Monica Bambroo, head- dermatology and cosmetology, Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon.

Frequent consumption of Halim seeds helps in improving overall skin vitality. “These seeds lower inflammation and are rich in antioxidants and several vital nutrients. They promote a natural and healthy glow. They also help in controlling acne breakouts or pimples on the skin,” Dr Bambroo explained.

However, the claim that Halim seeds can give ‘glass skin’ is not scientifically supported. “The nutritional content of these seeds may contribute to skin health by promoting hydration and protecting against oxidative stress but achieving ‘glass skin’ is influenced by various factors, including genetics, skincare routines, and overall health,” Deepti Khatuja, chief clinical nutritionist, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said.

So, what are the actual benefits of halim seeds?

According to Tiwari, these seeds are full of the goodness of carbohydrates, proteins, fibre, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and phytochemicals like flavonoids, phenols, lectins, tannins, and glycosides. “They also help in managing inflammation and diarrhoea. Apart from this, Halim seeds reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels, relieve muscles, and have anti-tumour properties. They help in managing blood glucose levels in the body. Furthermore, Halim seeds are known to promote bone health and have helped in managing breast cancer as well,” she said.

Despite their numerous benefits, Halim seeds should be consumed in moderation. “Excess consumption of these seeds might slow down blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding, thus worsening the bleeding disorders. These seeds might also flush potassium out of the body resulting in very low potassium levels. Consuming large amounts of Halim seeds is also likely to upset the stomach,” Dr Bambroo cautioned.

In some cases, the consumption of Halim seeds is strictly prohibited. “For instance, pregnant women are advised to refrain from consuming these seeds as their consumption is likely to cause abortion. It is also advised to avoid their intake during surgeries,” she added.

 

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A post shared by Sakshi Lalwani (@sakshilalwani_nutritionist) 

It’s crucial to remember that a balanced and varied diet, along with a healthy lifestyle, is key to reaping the maximum benefits from any food item, including Halim seeds.

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