Chia seeds are one of the most healthy foods on the planet.
They’re packed with nutrients that have important advantages for your body and brain.
Chia seeds are little black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is related to mint.
Chia seeds were an essential food for the Aztecs and Mayans back in history.
They valued them for their capability to provide enough energy. Actually, “chia” is the ancient Mayan term for “strength.”
In spite of their ancient history as a dietary staple, chia seeds grew to be known as a modern-day superfood just recently.
In the last few years, they have emerged in demand and are now used by health-conscious people all across the world.
Don’t be misled by the size — these little seeds carry a powerful nutritional value.
Below mentioned are the significant health benefits provided by chia seeds.
Decreased Free Radicals
Antioxidants contained in chia seeds can assist to fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals can create oxidative stress and harm cells. Consuming foods abundant with antioxidants may support reducing your chance of catching many health issues connected with free radicals, as well as cognitive decline, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
Better Cardiac Health
Chia seeds hold quercetin, an antioxidant that can decrease your chance of forming many health conditions, and heart diseases. The seeds contain high fiber, which helps in lowering high blood pressure and, successively, reducing your chance of incurring heart disease.
Diabetes
While there is no research on the influence of chia on blood glucose and insulin resistance, 2017 research implies that chia seeds may have the capacity to turn glucose into a slow-release carbohydrate. This could have a positive impact on individuals with type 2 diabetes.
High-fiber diets are connected with a lower risk of contracting diabetes, and eating high-fiber meals supports maintaining blood sugar.
According to a review of conclusions from many large studies, The National Institute of Medicine discovered that diets with 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories were linked with meaningful declines in the chance of both coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Decreased Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can cause health ailments like heart disease and cancer. Caffeic acid, an antioxidant that chia seeds contain, can help to combat inflammation in the body. Consuming chia seeds frequently may also help to decrease inflammatory markers, which usually indicate the presence of inflammatory conditions.
Weight loss
Diets that are high in fiber support people to stay full for longer, and they are normally less in calories. Elevated fiber intake and a fiber rich diet have been noticed to support weight loss.
Chia seeds include nearly 5 grams of fiber per tablespoon, and their high levels of omega-3-fatty acids and alpha-linoleic acid can be beneficial for weight loss. The seed can also be eaten as a gel when blended with water. This makes it digest more slowly in the body, likely to prevent hunger for a more extended period of time.
But, the evidence is limited. A study, written in the Journal of Obesity, states that “there is insufficient data to advise the use of chia seeds for weight loss.”
Another research, written in Nutrition Research, states that, in overweight adults, chia seeds have “no impact on body mass or composition, or many disease risk factor measures.”
