Chia seeds benefits

Chia seeds are small round seeds, and can be black, brown and white in color. They are harvested from a flowering plant in the mint family known as Salvia hispanica. It's native to parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Edible chia seeds are closely related to the chia plants made popular by Chia Pets, but they are not the same seed. A gel forms around the chia seed when mixed with liquid, which gives chia beverages their distinctive texture. Chia seeds can absorb up to 12 times their weight in liquid, which makes them useful in keeping baked goods moist. Chia seed benefits Chia seeds have many nutritional benefits. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Chia provides a similar amount of omega-3 fatty acids as ground flaxseed in the form of alpha linolenic acid, or ALA. They can help with weight loss. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, which can improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels and promote intestinal health. Fiber takes longer to digest and makes you feel satisfied longer, which is how it can help with weight loss and decrease your risk of developing diabetes or heart disease. Eating a diet rich in fiber also is shown to protect against colorectal cancer. One serving of dried chia seeds is about 2.5 tablespoons. This has 140 calories, 5 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, 12 grams of carbohydrate and 9 grams of fat, of which 8 grams are heart-healthy fats. Using chia seeds Grocery stores stock a variety of chia seeds. Products that contain chia s...

“Ch-ch-ch-chia” may be a familiar jingle if you grew up during the 1980s. Little did we know that those popular ceramic pets sprouting grass “hair” were a foretelling of the even greater success their seeds would have in edible form 25 years later. Chia seeds are often referred to as a “ Functional foods are touted to offer benefits beyond their nutritional value, such as lowering cholesterol or improving gut health. Not only listed as such, chia seeds are also used as a functional ingredient, added to less nutritious items like baked pastries and snacks, to improve their appeal to health-conscious consumers. Health claims about chia seeds include reducing appetite and weight, lowering triglycerides, and improving blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. Chia seeds come from the plant Salvia hispanica L., and were at one time a major food crop in Mexico and Guatemala. Cultivated as a food source as early as 3500 BC, it was offered to Aztec gods in religious ceremonies. According to industry reports, the chia seed market is projected to reach more than 2 billion USD in sales by 2022. [1] Source Of • • • • • • Two tablespoons of chia seeds (1 ounce or 28 grams) contain about 140 calories, 4 grams of protein, 11 grams of fiber, 7 grams of unsaturated fat, 18% RDA for calcium, and trace minerals including zinc and copper. They are the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds are a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids that cannot be made by t...

Chia seeds may be small, but they’re incredibly rich in nutrients. A staple in the ancient Aztec and Maya diets, these seeds have been touted for their health benefits for centuries. The nutrients in chia seeds may promote heart health, support strong bones, and improve blood sugar management ( What’s more, chia seeds are versatile and can be used in many recipes. Personally, I embrace their gel-like consistency by mixing them with liquid and making chia pudding. Here are 7 health benefits of chia seeds, all supported by science. Chia seeds are tiny black or white seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica L . They’re believed to be native to Central America ( Historically, Aztec and Mayan civilizations used the seeds in their diets, as well as for medicinal purposes, religious rituals, and cosmetics. Today, people all over the world enjoy chia seeds ( Ancient civilizations viewed chia seeds as highly nutritious — a belief that’s backed by modern science. In fact, just 1 ounce (28 grams or 2 tablespoons) of chia seeds contains ( • calories: 138 • protein: 4.7 grams • fat: 8.7 grams • alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): 5 grams • carbs: 11.9 grams • fiber: 9.8 grams • calcium: 14% of the Daily Value (DV) • iron: 12% of the DV • magnesium: 23% of the DV • phosphorus: 20% of the DV • zinc: 12% of the DV • vitamin B1 (thiamine): 15% of the DV • vitamin B3 (niacin): 16% of the DV This nutritional profile is particularly impressive considering that it’s for just a single serving of about two...

Fats Chia seeds are high in healthy fats with 8.7 grams in a 1-ounce serving. About 60% of the fat in chia seeds comes from the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids also known as Research has shown that omega 3 fatty acids help with cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol, regulating heart rhythms and blood pressure, decreasing inflammation, and preventing blood clots. Aids Diabetes Management The high fiber and omega-3 fatty acid content of chia seeds is a winning combination for long-term diabetes care. In patients with type 2 diabetes, consuming 15 grams per 1000 calories of chia seeds for 12 weeks has shown to reduce C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) by 40% and clotting effects by 20%. When 24 grams of chia seeds was added to bread, the sugar levels were managed better than when 7 grams were added. Promotes Heart Health Human studies on chia seeds have shown them to effectively lower triglyceride and blood pressure levels in healthy subjects. Although the sample size was small, 12 volunteers were given 50 grams of chia seeds for one month. As a result, diastolic blood pressure went down about 5 points and triglycerides were reduced by 20 points. An independent risk factor for heart disease, Supports Immune System Function Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3s, which provide well-established benefits for the immune system, including various types of T-cells and B-cells. Omega-3s support the function of macrophages in innate immunity. By increasing t...

If your mind immediately goes to “Ch-ch-ch-chia!” when you think of chia seeds, you’re not alone (and I realize I’m dating myself by saying that). Chia Pets, which came into popularity in the 1980s, were the first way that many in my generation were introduced to these seeds. Today, of course, chia seeds come to us in a very different form. In recent years, they’ve become a popular health food with a number of health benefits. What Are Chia Seeds? Chia seeds are tiny, round seeds of the Salvia hispanica plant. They’re typically black or white, with no significant nutritional differences This plant, related to mint, is native to the deserts of Mexico and Guatemala. Today, chia seeds are Even though chia seeds are still fairly new to the mainstream health community, native people have used them for thousands of years. In fact, they’ve been used for medicinal, religious, and culinary purposes throughout Chia seeds have traditionally been ground into flour, pressed for oil, and mixed into drinks. The ancient Aztecs saw them as sacred and used them in sacrificial ceremonies. The traditional Mayans believed chia seeds had supernatural powers, and they were used to provide travelers with energy for long journeys. Today, members of the Mexican Tarahumara tribe — known for being long distance runners — Chia Seed Nutrition The word “chia” is The main fats in chia seeds are mostly omega-3s — especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which accounts for three-quarters of the total — and s...