Chia Seeds: Nutrition & Health Benefits

Chia seeds are edible seeds of the oval shape of grey color with black and white spots. They are the seeds of Salvia hispanica typically a flowering plant of the mint family. Chia seeds are native to Mexico, Central America, and parts of Guatemala. Despite their small size, chia seeds are packed with many healthy nutrients such as fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. They have been touted for long as a superfood in ancient Aztecs and Mayan cultures. In ancient Mayan the word “Chia” means strength.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

1. They Promote Stronger Bones

Chia seeds contain calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and zinc, and these elements all work wonders for your oral health. Since a serving of chia seeds contains a whopping 18 percent of your daily recommended intake of Calcium, eating them is bound to have a positive effect on your bone health. To be clear, a serving of chia seeds contains more calcium than a serving of milk.

2. They Decrease Your Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol is never good for your body. It can block arteries to your brain, affect your memory, and even lead to a stroke. To keep your cholesterol levels in check, have some chia seeds in your daily diet.

3. They Decrease Your Blood Sugar Levels

A high blood sugar level is one of the most common reasons for type 2 diabetes. So if you wanna protect yourself, chia seeds can come in very handy.

4. They Decrease Chances of Heart Disease

Chia seeds are high in fiber, protein, and omega-3 acids, and the combination of these elements gives a great boost of protection to your health — especially when it comes to heart disease.

5. They Help You Lose Weight

Chia seeds are well known for being irreplaceable helpers when it comes to losing weight. That’s all thanks to soluble fiber, which slows the absorption of food and makes you feel full for longer.

6. They’re Better for Digestion

Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, especially insoluble fiber, which is an important nutrient for your digestive system. Insoluble fiber acts like a broom for your digestive tract, cleaning it out and keeping it healthy. Eating enough fiber can reduce your risk for many digestive diseases, such as colorectal cancer.

7. They’re Good for Brain

Chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which is very helpful in
Keeping the brain arteries clear or opaque. They help the brain cells to communicate with each other and thus nourish the brain this way. For this, you can eat chia seeds alone on them or can sprinkle them on salads, cereals, or yogurts.

8. They’re Good for Oral Health

Chia seeds contain calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and zinc, and these elements all work wonders for your oral health.

9. They Improve Exercise Performance

Chia seeds should surely be on the menu of all gym rats out there since they’re one of those rare natural products that can genuinely improve your workout efficiency.