Chia seeds come from the plant Salvia Hispanica and are known for their tiny black seed appearance. Chia seeds have been consumed for many years. They were considered a prized food for the Mayans and Aztecs because of their powerful abilities. Back then they often relied on chia seeds as a source of sustainable energy. The word chia actually means strength according to the ancient Mayan language and there is no wonder why today we consider it a powerhouse food. We’re going to dig into their incredible health benefits and what these tiny yet powerful seeds can do for you. Once you get inspired by how they can benefit you, you’ll most likely want to start adding them to your diet every day. There is no need to worry because we got you covered there too, check out some delicious recipes HERE.
A diet that lacks fiber has a higher risk of chronic constipation, high cholesterol, diabetes and even heart disease. Fiber is important because it can help regulate our bowels, can speed up the movement of food digestion through our intestines and it also provides fuel for good bacteria that is in our large intestines. These factors all play an important part in maintaining a healthy body.
Chia seeds happen to be an excellent source of fiber which is a big reason as to why it would be a good idea to start incorporating them into your diet more often. For just 1 ounce serving, chia seeds offer 11 grams of fiber and depending on your gender and your age that could be anywhere from 35-50% of your daily recommended value.
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If you’re looking to cut a few pounds or are trying to maintain your weight you might want to start adding chia seeds to your everyday diet. Due to their fiber content that we talked about previously, makes them a great contender in helping to aid weight loss.
Some studies have shown that diets that are rich in fiber help you to stay fuller longer which means you’ll most likely consume fewer calories and in result could help with weight loss. There isn’t a lot of concrete science yet proving that chia seeds will make you lose weight, however, considering they’re easy to consume in many different recipes and offer many health benefits it definitely wouldn’t hurt to try.
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Our body can produce a few antioxidants on its own which help to ward off on-going oxidative damage in our bodies. However, our bodies are also exposed to many free radicals from factors such as our environment. This is why consuming more antioxidants in our diet would be a wise choice.
Chia seeds happen to be thriving with antioxidants. They can help protect our cells from free radicals which could put you at a lower risk of cancer and metabolic disorders. You could even add chia seeds to an antioxidant-rich fruit like blueberries for a delicious and nutrient-dense smoothie.
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Dealing with inflamed joints and muscles can be an utter nuisance and not to mention for some, can be quite painful. To help with inflammation in the body you may want to start consuming chia seeds more regularly.
Chia seeds are awesome anti-inflammatory foods because they have a ratio 3:1 of Omega 3’s to Omega 6’s. This is favorable because omega 3’s can help reduce inflammation whereas Omega 6’s could increase inflammation. So consuming a food that is higher in Omega 3’s than 6’s could help keep that inflammation away. Furthermore, their antioxidant content that we talked about previously also contributes to their anti-inflammatory responses in your body even further.
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If we’re feeling lethargic we often reach for a cup of coffee, tea or an energy drink. However, you could reach for chia seeds and they could actually give you the energy you need too.
Some believe chia seeds could enhance your exercise performance and would be a great healthy and natural sports drink. To do this you’d want to mix your chia seeds with coconut water. The reason for this is because coconut water is one of the richest natural sources of electrolytes.
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Omega-3 fatty acids are a crucial part of a healthy diet. They can help promote a healthy brain and body by fighting off poor moods, maintaining eye health, could fight off inflammation and many other great benefits. There is no wonder why so many professionals are recommending more omega-3s into our diet.
Chia seeds are actually packed with omega-3 fatty acids and would be a great and easy way to consume more of it. You can also find omega 3 in foods like salmon but when comparing the two gram for gram, chia seeds contain more.
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Diabetes occurs when the bodies ability to respond or produce the hormone insulin is impaired. Chia seeds may not be able to cure diabetes but they could help a diabetic control their blood sugar and protect the heart.
Some recent studies show that chia seeds could help improve glucose and insulin intolerance. In addition to, many diabetics want to lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol levels (a.k.a. the good cholesterol) and some studies show that chia seeds can help with that too. However, if you are diabetic, it is extremely important to discuss dietary changes with your Doctor first.
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No one likes poor digestion. The feeling of bloating or constipation is an utter nightmare and can really ruin your day. To help regulate your digestion you’ll want to ensure you include chia seeds regularly into your diet.
Chia seeds are so powerful for the digestion because of their source of magnesium. Our muscles use magnesium to boost contractions and in turn, helps promote bowel regularity. Chia seeds also form a gel-like substance when combined with a liquid and when this runs through our digestive tract it can act like a cleanse and gives our colon, in nicer words, a makeover.
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Chia seeds are a powerhouse food indeed, especially when it comes to the beauty department. First, chia seeds contain essential amino acids and that combined with their source of protein and sulfur help promote healthy long hair. Second, chia seeds have been known to help fight off blemishes and acne. Thirdly, Zinc is what can help fight off bacteria and omega 3’s can encourage hydration in the skin.
Furthermore, chia seeds also offer a generous dose of B vitamins. These vitamins are important for fighting off free radicals that can promote aging. They may not prevent aging from happening because that is inevitable but they surely could try and help you age more slowly and gracefully.
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We talked about how chia seeds have anti-aging properties but another aspect of developing and aging is maintaining healthy bones and teeth. This is all thanks to the calcium nutrient that chia seeds have to offer.
Calcium is vital for our bone health but also to help our muscles to contract properly, to keep our heart beating healthily and to enable blood clotting. Some studies show that if you compare chia seeds gram for gram with several dairy products chia seeds have a much higher calcium content. This also offers an excellent alternative to those who have dairy allergies or choose to live a plant-based lifestyle.
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Protein is an important part of a healthy diet. We need protein to help build and repair our body tissues. It is also used to help make hormones, enzymes and many other natural occurring body chemicals. In addition, protein is the foundation of our muscles, bones, cartilage, skin and our blood.
Chia seeds also happen to be a great source of protein. Roughly two tablespoons of chia seeds can yield 4 grams of protein. To put that into perspective a single egg contains 6 grams of protein so if you’re vegan or looking to cut back on your morning eggs chia seeds would be an excellent replacement. You could also use chia seeds as an egg replacer in many recipes, how cool is that! Bottom line if you’re looking for more ways to include healthy proteins whether you follow a plant-based diet or not, chia seeds would make an excellent choice.
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It’s quite common for the average person to take vitamin or mineral supplements to help achieve the daily recommended amount. Some foods, like chia seeds, have a healthy profile offering quite a few vitamins and minerals. They’re well known for being high in calcium but they’re also high in a mineral called magnesium. Studies show that magnesium can encourage calcium absorption and in result can help support a healthy nervous system and bones.
Following, you can also find copper, phosphorus, iron, and zinc in chia seeds. Lastly, the vitamins that encourage healthy nails and hair such as vitamin B2, vitamin B12, niacin, and thiamin can also be found in chia seeds. They may not offer us every single vitamin and mineral our body needs but they sure do have quite a lot to offer.
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