Chia seeds are small but mighty, and are full of important nutrients that can provide a variety of health benefits. Why are so many people going crazy for chia seeds? It’s the fact that they have an abundance of nutrients. Take one look at their nutrition facts and you’ll get why so many individuals label them as the number-one superfood. Like most plant-based foods, chia seeds have long been associated with reducing the risk of common conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Below, we’ve listed 5 of the main health benefits of chia seeds.
Aids in Weight Loss Chia seeds are high in fiber, and it’s a soluble fiber, meaning it can absorb large amounts of water. This causes them to expand in your stomach, allowing the body to digest slowly and leaving you feeling fuller. Along with the fiber, the protein found in chia seeds also contributes by reducing appetite and food intake.
Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease Between the fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds could help you lower your risk of heart disease. Chia seeds themselves cannot cause major changes in heart health, but can help when used in unison with diet and exercise. Certain studies have shown that chia seeds can help lower certain risk factors like inflammation and triglycerides.
Encourages Healthy Skin Chia seeds are chock-full of antioxidants, which promote skin health. Antioxidants have the ability to reduce free radical damage and prevent oxidative stress. Along with that, they can promote tissue repair, which helps when fighting premature signs of aging. Besides including the seeds in your diet, chia oil can also be incorporated into daily skin regimens.
Balances Blood Sugar Several studies suggest that the alpha-linolenic acid and fiber found in chia seeds can help people maintain normal blood sugar levels. This could be especially imperative for those with diabetes. It’s important to stress that chia seeds could help people struggling to maintain normal blood sugar levels, but embracing more whole grains similar to chia as well (like brown rice or oatmeal) is even better.
Helps Strengthen Bones Chia seeds have the ability to conserve bone density and reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis. These seeds are overloaded with calcium and magnesium, both of which play important roles in maintaining bone health. Two tablespoons of chia seeds provide 13% of the calcium and 18% of the magnesium of the average daily requirement. This makes them an excellent source of protein and calcium for vegetarians and vegans as well.
“Chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength,” and as you can tell from our list above, these seeds live up to their namesake. The proven health benefits of chia seeds guarantee that they will remain at the top of the superfood chain for some time. Look for chia seeds at any major grocery store, and start incorporating chia seeds into your everyday recipes today.
