Skip to main content

5 Benefits of Chia Seeds: Why Should You Have These Everyday?

Good things come in small packages – the same is true of chia seeds which are extremely miniscule yet are power packed with nutrients and minerals.  Also known as salvia hispanica, chia seeds are native to Mexico, and belong to the mint family. They are believed to have been consumed by some of the ancient civilizations like the Mayans and the Aztecs. Chia seeds are grown primarily for their oil but gradually made way to the culinary world owing to their health benefiting properties. They are widely cultivated in parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Australia and Ecuador. Small oval shaped, they are soft seeds that are multicoloured – brown, black and white. One of the most interesting things about these wonderful seeds is their ability to soak up water. Chia seeds are hydrophilic, which means they can easily be mixed with water and can soak up to twelve times their weight!

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

Just 100 grams of chia seeds can load you up with some of the most essential nutrients including iron, calcium, thiamin, manganese, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous, B vitamins, folate and riboflavin. According to medical experts, small quantities of chia seeds added in daily diet can help strengthen immunity, boost metabolism and can also ward off some rampant ailments. Just in case you need more convincing for buying a pack of thesesuper seeds and including them in your diet, here are some proven benefits of chia seeds consumption.  
 
1. Aids in digestion:

Chia seeds are enriched with fiber. Every 100 gram will give you close to 40g of dietary fiber. Fiber is an excellent agent for digestion and helps keep bowel-related ailments (like constipation) away. Fiber also helps in relieving from bowel inflammation, irritability and helps in regulating cholesterol levels as well.

2. Weight Loss:

Believe it or not, seeds are the new superfoods as not only are they rich in fiber but provide energy too. Just a handful of chia seeds when mixed with nuts and dry fruits or included in smoothies or shakes can help you keep full for longer. These can soak a lot of liquid and expand in the stomach, which helps in suppressing appetite, warding off untimely hunger pangs, preventing binge-eating, and thereby facilitating weight-loss. Every 100g of chia seeds has close to 480 calories and 30g of fat out of which polyunsaturated fats (good/essential fats including omega 3, 6) make up to 23g.   

3. Omega 3 Dose:

Omega 3 is extremely important for our body’s functioning. Chia seeds are one of the highest sources of plant-based omega acid, also known as Alpha Linolenic Acid (AHA). These are a part of polyunsaturated fats which are the ‘good fats’ and extremely essential for the nervous functioning of our body.

4. Essential Minerals and Antioxidants:

Chia seeds are loaded with essential nutrients and are suitable to give your daily diet a power boost. They are full of antioxidants that are linked with acting against inflammation, growth of cancer cells, ageing and age-related cognitive decline. Just a couple of spoons of chia seeds can make for 30 percent of your daily manganese requirement and 18% of your daily calcium requirement.


5. Maintains Blood Sugar and Cholesterol:

Chia seeds are good for your overall digestive and metabolic health. Some of the most recent studies have linked chia seed consumption with healthy blood sugar levels, HDL (good cholesterol), cholesterol as well as reduced levels of triglycerides (blood fat) and LDL (bad cholesterol). These can safely be consumed by diabetics and can also aid in maintaining healthy heart and bones. For all those who are gluten-allergic, there is some good news - chia seeds are absolutely gluten free!

However, please note that those who suffer from certain nut or seed-based allergies may get allergic to chia seeds. Those on blood thinning or blood pressure medication should also get in touch with a medical professional before including chia seeds in their regular diet.

HOW TO ADD CHIA SEEDS IN YOUR DIET

Chia seeds bear a distinct texture after getting soaked. They expand, become softer and carry a silky, velvety texture. Chia seeds can render a fresh dimension to your cooking. They are enjoyed best when added to smoothies, shakes or cold coffees. You can also sprinkle them atop salads, add them in dips and accompaniments, use them in making breads, muffins, granola bars; add them in cereals, trail mixes or simply eat them raw.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

8 Foods That Prevent Cancer

1.    Cauliflower Image source: Simply Scratch Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, a compound that has been shown to have anti-cancer effects. Sulforaphane are released when cauliflower is broken down, so focus on chewing it before swallowing. This compound seeks and destroys certain cancer cells without harming your healthy cells. There are plenty of recipes available online on how you can add cauliflower to your meals. Cauliflower and broccoli have similar effects, so add broccoli to your list of foods too. 2.    Carrots Image source: http://eatbelive.com/ Even though carrots are mainly thought to be good for one’s eye sight, researches from the last ten years suggest that they are also good against some types of cancer, one of which is prostate cancer. A study was done on mice who were fed an increased carrot intake, and the study showed that carrots could stop the growth of prostate cancer. Carrot have many other health benefi...

The first stethoscope

René Laennec, a French doctor and inventor was born 235 years ago today, and Google has marked his birthday with a Doodle. Dr Laennec's importance to modern medicine was guaranteed by his invention of the very first stethoscope in 1816. Here are five things you (probably) didn't know about him : 1. Dr Laennec's stethoscope bears little semblance to the modern stethoscope. Unlike those used today, Dr Laennec's stethoscope was not a set of ear pieces connected by a plastic tube to a chest piece. His stethoscopes were simple cylinders made from wood and metal. The doctor using it would simply place it directly over the area in question and listen at the other end. 2. His first stethoscope was a rolled up piece of paper Described in his  1819 treatise  on this device, Dr Laennec invented the stethoscope while treating a young woman suffering from symptoms of heart disease. 3. The stethoscope was not his only contribution to medical science I...

Lenovo Vibe K4 Note First Impressions

Lenovo has kicked off 2016 with the new Vibe K4 Note smartphone. Those familiar with Lenovo's Note series might get puzzled with the addition of the Vibe moniker to the name, especially given the success of Lenovo K3 Note last year. Head of Product and Marketing at Lenovo Smartphones in India, Anuj Sharma, clarified that the new K4 Note has been integrated with the Vibe series of smartphones. While we are not sure if this has anything to do with the rumours that Lenovo may discontinue its Vibe range to prevent cannibalisation of Motorola sales, Sharma yet again asserted "Vibe" range is not going anywhere . Lenovo at the Delhi launch event on Tuesday also showed some statistics to show how popular the Lenovo K3 Note really is in the country. The handset was the third most searched phone in 2015, based on Google's release data for India , and the company had sold around 1.2 million units. W...