Chia seeds are becoming more and more popular as they are being recognized for containing an impressive amount of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements for overall superior health benefits.
These seeds originally came from Central America and have also been associated with being a “power food”. The amount of magnesium they contain is impressive: over 15 times more than broccoli! They also contain 4 times more iron than spinach and 10 times more omega-3’s (healthy fats) than salmon, which is known to be an excellent source for omega’s.
There are actually more health benefits that chia seeds provide. Check these out:
By adding chia seeds to your diet you may be able to tackle the following:
Weight loss:
You end up feeling fuller much faster as the seed absorbs lots of liquid and swells in the stomach. You’ll end up eating smaller portions as a result, which is ideal for weight loss efforts.
Heartburn:
Relief from heartburn can be a result of chia seed consumption. Taking in a spoonful can result in the absorption of extra stomach acid, leading to your heartburn going away.
Healing wounds:
Cell replacement is sped up and wounds are healed faster due to the seeds containing amino acids, vitamins and trace elements.
Thyroid problems:
Chia seeds contain selenium and zinc which help to regulate thyroid function, as well as restore hormone balance.
Gastrointestinal problems:
Flatulence, stomach cramps, and diarrhea can all be rapidly reduced. The seeds swell and counteract the effects of diarrhea while the plant’s fiber get’s intestinal activity rolling once again. This in turn helps with constipation.
As a blood thinner:
This can greatly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke as one study from the Nutritional Science Research Institute suggests that indeed chia seeds have a blood thinning effect.
Here’s what 2 tablespoons of chia seeds cover daily:
25% Copper
20% Magnesium
26% Fiber
14% Calcium
11% Phosphorous
29% Vitamin E
11% Vitamin B1
18% Vitamin B3
38% Omega 6
13% Iron
11% Manganese
8% Potassium
5% Vitamin A
7% Vitamin B8
8% Zinc
2% Biotin
0,16% Vitamin B6
308% Omega 3
Good to know:
The other great thing regarding chia seeds is that they are indeed gluten-free, while having hardly any calories to them. They can absorb liquid, turning into a gel when they are soaked, and you should always drink plenty of liquids to ensure the body has enough fluids running through it when consuming chia seeds.
