Every year there seems to be a new superfood that gains so much popularity that only those handcuffed to a fast food restaurant without a smart phone wouldn’t know about it. It’s on the news, the internet, your friends are talking about it, and every health magazine has a spread dedicated to this “it” food. It’s the food that your friends brag about by posting countless Facebook pictures of their hip, new, healthy concoctions – making you want to put down your cheeseburger and GMO infested soft drink. In 2013, it appears as if Chia seeds are generating quite the stir for health enthusiasts everywhere. How does such a food make headlines and impress upon leaders in holistic health? Well, the Chia seed doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to natural benefits across the board.
1. Omega-3
Chia is extremely rich in Omega-3. In fact, they are one of the “richest plant-based sources,” even above flax seeds and salmon! Within the Chia seeds’ lipid profile, it has an overall omega-3 composition of 60%, which is high in alpha-linolenic acid, ACA. Benefits of omega-3 include reducing high cholesterol and inflammation, while refining cognitive performance. Its anti-inflammatory properties, associated with Chia’s high essential fatty acid content, help improve heart health, lowers the risk for arthritis along with joint pain, and also aids in the prevention of some forms of cancer. Enhancing hair, skin, and nail health is also associated with incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet.
2. Nutrition
“Two tablespoons of Chia seeds contain 18 percent of the DRI for calcium, 35 percent for phosphorus, 24 percent for magnesium and about 50 percent for manganese,” according to healthyeating.sfgate.com. The nutritional makeup of Chia does wonders to your health – maintaining a healthy body weight and issues with hypertension are just a few of the benefits. Calcium and manganese help improve bone health, and phosphorous is essential for tissue growth and repair, as well, as protein syntheses.
3. It’s Gluten and GMO Free – Vegan and Kosher Friendly!
Gluten allergy or on a gluten free diet? No problem, because you will not find gluten in Chia. It is also valuable for vegans, vegetarians, and safe for those who eat Kosher. If you have any of these dietary restrictions, you are in luck. This superfood allows you to gain many of the health and nutrition benefits that could have been lacking in your diet – with no hidden GMOs anywhere to be found.
4. Protein
Chia seeds are loaded with protein, which helps curb cravings and build lean muscle mass. This is definitely an advantage to any vegans or vegetarians out there scrambling to get more protein in their diet!
5. Mental Energy
The high essential fatty acid content found in Chia seeds is excellent for improved cognitive performance, concentration, mood, and overall mental health. It is a great study tool for all of you students out there!
6. Endurance
Put down the Red Bull, because Chia was derived from the Mayan word for “strength,” and referred to as the “running food” by ancient Aztecs, for a reason. The Chia seed’s hydrophilic properties and complex carbohydrates (soluble fiber) create a physical barrier between digestive enzymes and carbohydrates in your digestive system. This barrier is a result of a gel that is formed when the soluble fiber in the seed attracts water and expands. This efficient process allows a delay in carbohydrate to sugar conversion, thus resulting in increased metabolic rates and endurance. This process also stabilizes blood sugar, which is essential for diabetic individuals.
7. Weight Loss
The gel forming phenomena that takes place during digestion, along with the Chia seeds’ high protein content, makes you feel fuller faster and for an extended period of time. Satiety is one of the major keys to weight loss, due to its power to decrease calorie intake. The insoluble fiber in Chia seeds helps clear and detoxify the colon by clearing out the “extras”, thus by promoting digestive regularity.
8. Hydration and Electrolyte Balance
In addition, the gel created by Chia ensures maximum hydration and electrolyte retention. Toss the Gatorade because “the seeds absorb and retain 10-12 times their weight in water.”
9. Inexpensive and Organic
This is not a combination you hear very often, but for those on the right path of eating organically, Chia seeds can cost as low as $9 for an entire pound – this amount typically lasts for about 3 weeks. If you want to buy in bulk, Chia lasts 4-5 years, unless it is in its gel form, which gives it a safe 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. Chia seeds are also naturally organic. There is no need to treat them with pesticides because insects don’t have much interest in the product.
10. It’s Delicious!
It took a few years after the Chia Pet hit the shelves, and thousands of years after it was a staple food for the Mayans and Aztecs, for the Chia seed to hit the shelves as a well-known health food. The typical American diet lacks, well, standards, to say the least – especially when it comes to incorporating nutrients the natural way. After understanding how Chia seeds can greatly improve your health and wellness, you may never want to change your diet again. The reputation of the Chia seed may withstand the bounds of a yearly fad.
References:
Brown, Genevieve Shaw. “Chia Seeds the ‘It’ Food of 2013.” ABC News. ABC News Network, 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/eating-chia-seeds/story?id=18296119>.
“Chia Seeds – The Pinnacle Superfood.” Healthy-Eating-Guidelines.net. Healthy-Eating-Guidelines.net, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://www.healthy-eating-guidelines.net/chia-seeds.html>.
Coles, Terri. “Chia Seed Benefits: 10 Reasons To Add Chia To Your Diet.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., 03 June 2013. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/03/chia-seed-benefits-_n_3379831.html>.
Duncan, Lindsey, ND, CN. “Chia: Ancient Super-Seed Secret.” The Dr. Oz Show. HARPO, Inc., 14 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/lindsey-duncan-nd-cn/chia-ancient-super-secret>.
“Five Health Benefits of Chia.” FitDay. Internet Brands, Inc., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/five-health-benefits-of-chia.html>.
Hathwell, Jen. “Top 10 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds.” SFGate: Healthy Eating. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/top-10-health-benefits-chia-seeds-6962.html>.
Katie. “10 Uses for Chia Seeds.” Wellness Mama. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://wellnessmama.com/4981/10-uses-for-chia-seeds/>.
Mike. “Chia Seed Benefits.” Nutrition Talk. Thrive Foods, 27 July 2009. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://blog.thrivefoods.net/2009/07/chia-seeds-top-10-benefits.html>.
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Posted By: Axiom Health Care Marketing
