The chia seeds have been known to be used for medicinal purposes for quite a long time now. These amazing seeds have been considered to be a staple in the Mayan and Aztec diets for centuries.
Nowadays, because of their amazing health benefits, the chia seeds have become more and more popular. It has especially become popular in the area of cooking. As it turns out, the chia seeds are a rich source of antioxidants and nutrients. This is why today we will delve a bit deeper into the subject and present to you some of the best health benefits that you can get from consuming the chia seeds. Enjoy!
1. The chia seeds are filled with omega 3 fatty acids – it has been found that the chia seeds are incredibly rich in polyunsaturated fats, especially in omega 3 fatty acids. The lipid profile of the chia seeds is composed out of 60 percent omega 3 fatty acids, making these small seeds one of the richest plant based sources of the fatty acids. This specifically goes for the alpha linolenic acid, or the ALA. The omega 3 fatty acids within the chia seeds will help reduce the inflammation, enhance the cognitive performance and reduce the levels of high cholesterol in the body.
2. The chia seeds are filled with fiber – the fiber is frequently associated with reducing inflammation, lowering the levels of cholesterol, as well as regulating the function of the bowel. The chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, with an amazing content of 10 grams in only two tablespoons. Believe it or not, this is one third of the recommended daily intake of fiber in a day.
3. The chia seeds are packed with antioxidants – the chia seeds have known to be filled with antioxidants that will help protect the body from the damage of the free radicals, as well as any other severe issues, such as cancer and even aging. Also, the high profile in antioxidants will help prolong the shelf life of the chia seeds. Without refrigeration, the chia seeds can last up to two years.
4. The chia seeds are filled with minerals too – did you know that only two tablespoons of chia seeds contain the daily recommended intake for calcum, and provide you with 35% phosphorous, 24 percent magnesium and 50% manganese. When all of these nutrients are combined together, they will provide you with protection from developing hypertension as well as helping you maintain your weight, and they are all important for the energy of the metabolism and are a part of the DNA synthesis.
5. The chia seeds will provide you with satiety – we all know what this one means, we are aware that the feeling of satiety is the feeling of fullness, especially after a meal is over, and it helps lowering down the cravings between meals. The combination of protein, fiber, and the amazing action of the chia seeds, when mixed with any kind of liquid, will provide you with this feeling of fullness.
6. The chia seeds are gluten free – this one may come as a shock to you, but it doesn’t make it less true. The chia seeds contain absolutely no gluten or grains. This is why all the nutritional benefits that come from the chia seeds can easily be obtained while you are on a gluten free diet.
7. The chia seeds can come in handy as an egg replacement – the outer layer of the chia seeds swells up when it is mixed with liquids in order to create a gel. This is something that can be used instead of eggs in order to lower the cholesterol in the body and increase the content of nutrients with baked goods or other foods. If you want to try to make the egg replacement, mix a tablespoon of the chia seeds with three tablespoons of water and let it sit out like that for a period of 15 minutes.
8. The chia seeds can be digested whole – something that we absolutely have to mention here in order to make a parallel are the flax seeds, which are other seeds filled with omega 3 fatty acids, minerals and fiber. Unfortunately, unlike the chia seeds, they cannot be consumed whole. This is where the chia seeds win this comparison. The chia seeds do not need to be ground up in order to obtain their nutrient benefits or egg replacement benefits.
9. The chia seeds can aid with dyslipidemia – one study published in the British journal of Nurition claimed that the chia seeds can act as a dietary fat source in the process of lowering the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol levels, all the while increasing the levels of good cholesterol in the body. This is a study that also found out that replacing some other sources of fat with chia seeds helped in lowering the trilgyceride levels and reduce the central obesity.
10. The chia seeds can help regulate the blood sugar levels – the chia seeds have been known to play quite an important role in regulating the levels of insulin in the body. The chia seeds are able to reduce the resistance of insulin and decrease the unnaturally high levels of insulin in the blood.
We believe that after reading this list, you have realized that the chia seeds are the exact thing that you need. They meet all of the healthy standards, they make up for an excellent addition to the every day dieting plan and are actually very tasty. So, the next time you run to the grocery store, stop for a minute and remind yourself that the chia seeds will come as an excellent supplement. Try adding them to your meals and see whether it is going to make some improvments in your body.
Believe us the chia seeds are just the type of seeds you need in order to boost your overall health. Start consuming them and gain some health benefits for yourself, now!
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