What do you really know about Chia seeds? If your most people then your Chia knowledge is probably limited to the green fuzzy grass head you used to call your Chia pet, today, however, Chia seeds are becoming increasingly more popular because of their ‘superfood’ health benefits.
Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, grown in Mexico and used as a staple food in Mayan and Aztec diets for centuries. “Chia” means strength, and the tiny black and white seeds were prized for their ability to provide sustainable energy. As well as it’s ability to boost energy and keep you fighting fit and strong all day long, it boasts a wide range of other health benefits:
Fiber
Fiber is associated with reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel function. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, with a whopping 10 grams in only 2 tablespoons. That is one-third of the daily recommended intake of fiber per day.
Minerals
Two tablespoons of Chia seeds contain 35 percent of the DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) for phosphorus, 24 percent for magnesium and about 50 percent for manganese. These nutrients help you prevent hypertension and maintain a healthy weight, and are important for energy metabolism and a part of DNA synthesis.
Blood Sugar Regulation
Chia seeds can play an important role in regulating insulin levels. They can reduce insulin resistance and decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood. Chia is being studied as a potential natural treatment for type-2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion.
Calcium
A serving of chia seeds has 18 per cent of the recommended daily intake for calcium, which puts you well on your way to maintaining bone and oral health, and preventing osteoporosis.
How to eat Chia seeds?
The most popular way to eat Chia seeds is to mix a quarter cup of the seeds into one cup of liquid, such as almond milk or your morning orange juice. It can take approximately 15 minutes for the seeds to become gel-like, but once the seeds have gelled up and the mixture has become thick, your Chia seed drink is ready to go. Dry Chia seeds can also be mixed into your yogurt or morning oatmeal or sprinkled on top of your lunch or dinner salad.
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