chia seeds benefits
Beauty & Health

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds also known as Salvia Hispanica is a flowery-mint plant that is widely cultivated in South America- Mexico and Australia. It was also an important food for the Maya and Aztec civilizations, especially in religious ceremonies.

What are chia seeds?

Chia seeds are black and white gluten-free tiny seeds. They taste like a mild nutty savory flavor. You can find them in any health food store or supermarket.

In recent years; chia seeds have become a popular superfood all around the world due to their rich health profile as they are rich in ALA, omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, dietary fibres, and minerals.

Nutritional value of chia seeds

NutrientValue
USDA [33]Jin et al. [35]
Energy486.0kcal562kcal
Protein16.5g/100 g24.2g/100 g
Total lipid30.740.2
Ash4.84.77
Carbohydrate42.126.9
Dietary fiber34.430.2
Calcium631.0mg/100 g456mg/100 g
Iron7.79.18
Magnesium335.0449
Phosphorus860.0919
Potassium407.0726
Sodium16.00.26
Zinc4.66.47
Copper0.91.86
Manganese2.73.79
Vitamin C1.6
Thiamine0.6
Riboflavin0.2n.e.
Niacin8.8
Vitamin E0.5
Folate49.0µg/100 gn.e.µg/100 g

(n.e., not evaluated).

Source: Karla Carmen Miranda-Ramos, Claudia Monika HarosFoods. 2020 Dec; 9(12): 1859. Published online 2020 Dec 12. doi: 10.3390/foods9121859PMCID: PMC7764627

There are many great benefits of chia seeds, let’s discover the most interesting ones

Chia Seeds

1. Rich in Fibers

This plant-based food is rich in fibres and proteins. Since 28 grams of chia seeds contains 11 grams of soluble fibres that absorb water, increase the feeling of satiety for a longer period of time, and slow the absorption of food in your stomach which is good to help in weight loss and proteins would also reduce appetite and calorie intake.

2. Omega 3 – source

Chia seeds contain a great form of (ALA) that our body can’t synthesize and healthy omega-3 fatty acids that lower blood pressure(LDL), triglyceride levels, and blood pressure. In this way, chia seeds decrease the risk of inflammation related to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes complication

Additionally, omega-3 also plays a great role in enhancing the function of immune system regulation and the prevention of infections.

An ounce of chia seeds contains 5 grams of omega-3s per serving!

3. Antioxidants

The high amount of antioxidants in chia seeds can help to protect the skin from UV radiation which causes damage to skin cells and reduce the signs of aging and wrinkles.

4. They’ve got calcium!

In fact, three tablespoons of chia seeds contain more calcium than a glass of milk. This plant-based diet has a good amount of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus which promotes the health of bones and muscles, especially for vegan people who don’t eat dairy products.

Use chia seeds in your daily meals, in sandwiches, smoothies, and so on.

What are the best ways to eat chia seeds?

There are many ways to eat and incorporate chia seeds into your healthy diet in almost every meal.

  • Sprinkles in salads.
  • Add chia seeds to your cereals or mix them into yoghurts.
  • Make delicious puddings and jams.
  • Blend chia seeds with smoothies and soups.
  • Use chia seeds to make bread, biscuits, mix cookie dough, muffins, and more.

How many chia seeds should I eat in a day?

Generally, chia seeds don’t cause negative effects on the body, but remember Every extremity is a fault!

Eating one tablespoon of ground chia seeds per day is considered a healthy amount, it depends also on age because high doses can cause digestive problems like constipation, bloating, and gas.

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