mORE ABOUT cHIA sEEDS!
CHIA SEEDS are tiny black or white seeds that come from the plant SALVIA HISPANICA L., native to Central America. They were a staple food for the ancient Aztec and Maya civilizations, and today they are popular around the world as a SUPERFOOD.
Why are chia seeds so good for you?
Well, they are packed with NUTRIENTS that can benefit your health in many ways. Just one ounce (28 grams or 2 tablespoons) of chia seeds contains²:
- 138 calories
- 4.7 grams of protein
- 8.7 grams of fat, including 5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids
- 11.9 grams of carbs, of which 9.8 grams are fiber
- 14% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium
- 12% of the DV for iron
- 23% of the DV for magnesium
- 20% of the DV for phosphorus
- 12% of the DV for zinc
- 15% of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- 16% of the DV for vitamin B3 (niacin)
Chia seeds are also rich in ANTIOXIDANTS, which protect your cells from free radical damage and may lower your risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Some of the antioxidants in chia seeds are chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol².
Some of the health benefits of chia seeds that have been supported by scientific studies are²³:
- Improving blood sugar control and reducing insulin resistance
- Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Enhancing weight loss by increasing satiety and reducing appetite
- Supporting bone health by providing calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
- Boosting brain function and mood by providing omega-3 fatty acids
Chia seeds are also very versatile and easy to use in your diet. You can eat them raw or soaked in water or juice to form a gel-like substance. You can also add them to your cereal, yogurt, smoothies, salads, soups, baked goods, and desserts. They have a mild nutty flavor that goes well with many foods 😊.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 21/06/2023(1) Chia Seeds: 7 Health Benefits. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds.(2) Health Benefits of Chia Seeds - WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chia-seeds.(3) Benefits of Chia Seeds: 9 Ways to Eat Them - Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-of-chia-seeds.(4) Are chia seeds good for health? If so, what are the health benefits?. https://microsoftstart.msn.com/en-au/health/ask-professionals/expert-answers-on-chiaseeds/hp-chiaseeds?questionid=ea8c9dvj&type=nutrition&source=bingmainline_nutritionqna.op of the page.