The Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Benefits of Chia Seeds

The health benefits of chia seeds must outweigh the urge to sing the “Ch-ch-ch-chia” jingle! Yes, chia pets are made from the seeds of the chia plant, but please do not let that stop you from gaining the health benefits of chia seeds in supporting your healthy living.

Just turn the chia pet away from you when you eat the chia seeds. OK seriously, chia seeds are a wonderful super food.

Chia is an edible seed that comes from the chia plant salvia hispanica. It is a flowering plant in the mint family and is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds have a very mild flavor and do not alter the flavor of foods.

Chia seeds are added to cereals, oatmeal, salads or salad dressings, cookies, cake decorations, or smoothies. I add chia seeds to my vegetable juices because chia seeds health benefits super-boost the nutrient level of my vegetable juices.

Chia seeds are associated with increased and sustained energy levels in the body.

Fatty Acid Benefits Of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for supporting good health. The body can’t make the essential fatty acid omega-3 and it must be gotten from the foods we eat. The brain is made up of sixty percent omega-3 fats, and the majority of that fat is an omega-3 called DHA.

The omega-3 fatty acid in chia seeds is a-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body converts into DHA. Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids play a role in protecting the brain, and may protect against age associated memory loss. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are an anti-inflammatory and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.

Chia seeds also contain omega-6 fatty acids which are also an essential fatty acid that the body does not produce. Many omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory, but research has shown a synergistic effect of the proper proportions of omega-6 to omega-3

Proportions of 2-3 to 1 of omega-6 to omega-3 support brain functioning, bone health, metabolism, and hair and skin growth. Chia seeds also contain omega-9 fatty acids, which are not considered essential fatty acids because the body can produce them from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Antioxidant Benefits Of Chia Seeds

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and slow the aging process. Chia seeds are an antioxidant powerhouse surpassing blueberry’s antioxidant prowess. An indication of a foods antioxidant level is its ability to resist spoiling for longer periods of time. Chia seeds owe their antioxidant prowess to their caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, kaemferol, myrecetin, and quercetin.

Chia Seed Nutrition

Benefit from the health benefits of chia seeds by making them part of your plant based diet or your diet in general.

References:
Omega-3 fatty acids
Chia seeds nutrition facts

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