Recently I read about chia seeds, and this fascinated me. Such small seeds packed with so many health benefits! So, if you want to increase your nutritional IQ, read the entire post. Chia seeds are obtained from a desert plant belonging to the mint family.
They can be eaten raw, or the chia sprouts can be used in sandwiches, salads, and other dishes. Chia seeds contain significant amounts of protein, fats, and fiber. The seeds are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid. The good thing about these seeds is that they are rich in antioxidants and can be stored for long periods of time.
A peculiarity of this seed is that chia forms a kind of gel when added to water and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. This action inside the stomach helps you stay hydrated for longer periods and retains electrolytes in your body fluid. The swelling action helps to cleanse and soothe the colon. It absorbs toxins while lubricating and strengthening peristaltic action.
Health benefits of Chia Seeds
Chia gives a sense of fullness to your stomach so that you won’t snack on other foods. Chia seeds are easily digestible, mild flavored, and boost energy. It helps you to slim down and enhances stamina and endurance. It greatly improves your brain power due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. In short, Chia seeds may be termed as super grain.
Chia oil also has a host of health benefits. Researchers did experiments on mice and found that chia oil decreases tumor weight and the number of cancer cells and increases cancer cell death. Chia oil lead to significant improvement in skin conditions for those people suffering from pruritus.
Chia oil can be supplemented with fish oil supplements since it contains the same level of essential fatty acids. Chia seed supplements help to normalize blood flow by dilating the arteries. There may be some side effects when using chia supplements; follow your doctor’s advice.
When chia seeds are added to chicken feed, they produce omega-3 enriched eggs and meat. When cattle are fed with chia seeds, you get omega 3 fatty acid enriched milk. What a great way to add healthy food to your diet!