Chia Seeds Benefits
A little background and some benefits of Chia seeds
Chia seeds used to be a staple food for the Aztecs and Mayans a long time ago. The plant grows along riverbanks in areas such as central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. The annual herb is known as Salvia hispanica L, or commonly known as Salba or Chia; belonging to the mint family.
You may remember them in the late 1970s their only purpose could have been the famed 'chia pet'. The chia seeds were placed in an animated terra cotta container let's say shaped as a sheep, when watered the chia seeds would sprout through the holes in the top of the container; giving a look of sheep's wool. North Americans really did not realize the extreme health benefits of the chia seed.
Why Chia seeds are good for losing weight?
The small black and white seeds have a unique gelling action. When you put Chia seeds in water, they expand and the seeds form a coating gel around themselves; when in your stomach cavity you will feel full for a long time. The gel itself has no calories or flavour. This is why the seeds can be mixed with any types of foods. The most common use for chia seeds was adding them to smoothies; which gives them viscosity even at room temperature.
What's Good About Chia Seeds?
- Great for losing weight! Viscosity. Less calories consumed
- GLUTEN FREE
- positive effect on diabetes, blood cholesterol level, high blood pressure
- positive effect on osteoporosis, depression, breast, colon and prostate cancer
- 2 TBSP. of Chia Seed Flour = 4g High fibre
- 2 TBSP. of Chia Seed Flour = 63mgs of calcium or more than 2 glasses of milk or 120% RDA for children
- 2 times the amount of potassium from one banana
- 2 TBSP. of Chia Seed Flour = 3g of protein
- 3 times the amount of antioxidants of blueberries
- 3-4 times the amount of iron of spinach
- almost perfectly balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, whose bio-absorption is dependent upon each other
Omega-3: Omega-6 fatty acids
We often think of Omega-3 oils or fatty acids as 'that healthy oil in fish'. The good news is that Chia is the richest plant-source of these fatty acids . A two tablespoon serving of Chia Seed flour has 530 milligrams (0.53 grams) of omega-3, that's a full 30% of the recommended daily intake for men and 50% for women. Chia seeds have almost perfectly balanced Omega 3 and Omega6 fatty acids ratios, that are dependent upon one another for bio- absorption. These fatty acids are very important for the protection and maintenance of the cardiovascular system.
Provides A Lot Of Energy
Chia has a very high amount of complete protein. This protein will raise your energy levels. Because Chia has complete protein, as well as vitamins, minerals, this combines into a source of food that will provide lots of energy for a long time. Superior in protein quality to wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, amaranth, flax and soy
Anti-Oxidants
Most of us are aware that blueberries and exotic fruits have high amounts of anti-oxidants. Guess, what Chia is rich in anti-oxidants too! Chia also offers a disease-fighting arsenal of antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, quercetin and flavonols.
These arsenals of anti-oxidants help prevent free-radical damage in your body. If free-radicals are allow to occupy your body for very long periods of time; inflammations, a weaker immune systems and the onset of dis-ease within the body; could be the end result.Chia, can help you to ingest enough anti-oxidants to absorb the free radicals.
Make Chia Part Of Your Diet
Chia, like hemp hearts, is one of nature's power foods, and we urge you to start using them.
You can also supercharge your baked wellness foods through the use of Nuchia Original Chia Seed Flour - it is multi-grain flour that includes organic brown rice flour and Chia flour. It is best for baking and can replace whole wheat flour cup for cup. It contains all the nutrients of the Nuchia 100% Chia Seed Flour. Further, both varieties have neutral taste and smell, and are free of : gluten, wheat, sodium, sugar, GMOs and trans-fats. Each type of flour bakes and tastes almost identical to wheat.
You can find these fine products at our Nuchia online store. Buy Online
I have posted a recipe adapted from the Nuchia Foods Corp. - Chia Flour Coconut Cookies that a food columist by the name of Leigh Lambert of The Washington Post baked and tested.
If you have any good recipes with Chia, do not hesitate to send them in to us. We will publish the recipes you send in, right here on this website.
Pages in this category:
0
Link to us!
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting or stopping any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. You should not start or stop taking any pharmaceutical product without first consulting your prescribing physician. Please refer to the Disclaimer/Legal Information section on this website for more details.