Beware of dairy products

For a good calcium intake, let's cultivate our aromatic garden. Contrary to popular belief, dairy products are not the best source of calcium. These marketing arguments have been hammered into us for the past 50 years and it is very difficult to erase them from our collective memory. This mineral, which is the most present in our body since the entire skeleton is made up of it, can be depleted in the event of tissue acidity, for example; however, dairy products are acidifying... It is therefore important to (re)build up reserves by including some foods that are rich in it.

Aromatic herbs: best sources of calcium

One of the best sources of calcium is the herbs in our gardens.

• Thus, savory and dehydrated basil are really rich in it with respectively 2132 mg and 2113 mg for 100 g.
• Next in line are marjoram (1990 mg/100 g), thyme (1890 mg/100 g), dill (1784 mg/100 g), celery seed (1767 mg/100 g), sage (1652 mg/100 g), sisymbol seed (1633 mg/100 g), oregano (1597 mg/100 g), spearmint (1488 mg/100 g) and parsley (1468 mg/100 g).
• In another food family, good calcium intake can be generated by sesame seeds. Whole and roasted or grilled, they will bring you 989 mg/100 g of this precious mineral. You will find 960 mg of calcium per 100 g in one of its derivative products such as whole seed butter (sesame paste, tahini).
• Other seeds such as chia (631 mg/100 g), flax (334 mg/100 g), almonds (peeled since the skin prevents the assimilation of some of its elements - 248 mg/100g), hazelnuts (135 mg/100 g), pistachios (110 mg/100 g), sunflower seeds (87 mg/100 g) or even macadamia nuts (85 mg) constitute excellent contributions. These contributions will be potentiated if you soak the seeds for at least 12 hours. This approach allows to start the germination process, it potentiates the mineral contents of the seeds and those which return them also more assimilable. It is obvious that these seeds also provide other nutrients to the body: amino acids, iron, magnesium, zinc, etc.

Flavouring salads with herbs from the garden and throwing in a good handful of oil seeds seems to be an anti-acid and antiosteoporosis asset thanks to the important contribution of natural and assimilable calcium. At any time, for young and old, small hunger or small nibbles will be effectively and deliciously filled with these seeds easy to slip into a pocket and take everywhere.

Think of it also for aperitifs with friends. They are a good alternative to industrial zakuski, which are full of monosodium glutamate (an extremely harmful taste enhancer).