Amazing Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Amazing Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

 Chia seeds for weight Loss
These seeds are having adequate amount of fiber (40% by weight) and have the capacity to absorb about 10 times of their weight in water thus slow down the absorption of foods. This fullness of the stomach leads to least longing of foods, which means lesser intake of calories. These are abundant in protein which discourage eating of more foods and lessen the feeling of hunger. It also reduces the desire of taking more animal fats because of containing high percentage of protein.

Best uses of chia seeds
These seeds are used to prepare sharbat, a cold beverage.
Chia seeds can be used as topping.
It can be used to put into energy bars, yogurt, tortillas, bread and smoothies.
It is used to make gel like substance, which may be the substituted of eggs in cakes.
In United States of America, it is used for decorative purpose such as Chia pets.
They act against inflammation.
Because of its unique hydration features, favourite with the athletes.
It is suggested that the seeds can reduce blood pressure.
It can be used to prepare nutrition bars and baby foods.
The omega-3 fatty acids in it help to improve cognitive performance.

Chia Seeds Are Loaded With Antioxidants
Another area where chia seeds shine is in their high amount of antioxidants.

These antioxidants protect the sensitive fats in the seeds from going rancid.

Although antioxidant supplements are not very effective, getting antioxidants from foods can have positive effects on health.

Most importantly, antioxidants fight the production of free radicals, which can damage molecules in cells and contribute to ageing and diseases like cancer.

There are some claims online about chia seeds having more antioxidants than blueberries, but I was unable find a study to verify this claim.

Bottom Line: Chia seeds are high in antioxidants that help to protect the delicate fats in the seeds. They also have various benefits for health.

Fiber
Fiber is associated with reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel function. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, with a whopping 10 grams in only 2 tablespoons. That is one-third of the daily recommended intake of fiber per day.

Minerals
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. These nutrients help you prevent hypertension and maintain a healthy weight, and are important for energy metabolism and a part of DNA synthesis.

Add healthy omega-3 oil to your diet
Omega-3 oil is usually thought of as “that healthy stuff in fish”. But, what if you don’t want to eat fish every day? What if you’re a vegetarian, or simply worried about pollution adding harmful substances to your fish dinner?

Chia is the richest plant-source of this healthy oil. By weight, chia contains more omega 3 than salmon, and it still tastes like whatever you want! Omega 3 oil is important in heart and cholesterol health. It’s also recently been targeted as a weight-loss helper. USA Weekend magazine also reports on a study where overweight dieters who included omega 3s in their eating plan lost 2 more pounds monthly than the control group, who did not.

Help Prevent Diverticulitis / Diverticulosis
With the abundance of over-processed foods and white flour on the market today, rich sources of fiber are harder to come by. These foods of convenience have contributed to the rise of diverticulitis. Irregularity is a

big factor in this risky condition. To help ensure regularity, you need plenty of soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet. If you don’t want to eat celery, and whole-grain everything…or piles of bran flakes, the Chia Seed is here to help. Each seed is coated with soluble fibers which aid its gelling action. The exterior of the seed is protected by insoluble fiber. The insoluble fiber is unable to be digested (it does not contribute any calories, or break down) so instead, it helps keep food moving smoothly through the digestive process. Soluble fiber, and the gel coating of the seed keeps the colon hydrated and ensures the easy movement of food.

Beneficial to bones and teeth
Beneficial to bones and teeth a serving of chia seeds offers up 18% of recommended daily calcium, 30% RDA for manganese, and 27% RDA for phosphorus, minerals that are essential to bone and teeth strength and preventing osteoporosis.

Improves Digestion
The good amount of fiber (both soluble and insoluble) in chia seeds helps regulate bowel functions and improve the digestion process. The insoluble fiber helps food move smoothly through the digestive system. The soluble fiber keeps the colon hydrated and ensures easy digestion.

In addition, chia seeds aid in detoxification and elimination of harmful toxins from the body. These seeds also help prevent diverticulosis and diverticulitis.

Add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to a glass of warm water and drink it 1 to 2 times daily to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Treats Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to tissues, causing fatigue and many other health problems.

It can be caused due to a variety of reasons, most common being, iron deficiency. You can treat anemia with chia seeds that are nutritional powerhouses and packed with iron.

In addition to providing essential nutrients, chia seeds help cleanse the body and increse the red blood cell count.

Eating 2 tablespoons of chia seeds provides your body with 2.2 milligrams of iron, or 12 percent of the recommended daily allowance.

Another option is to make an anemia-fighting smoothie with 2 cups of spinach, 1 tablespoon of dandelion root powder, 2 beetroots, 1 banana, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and 1 avocado. Blend all the ingredients thoroughly and drink it 1 or 2 times daily.

Chia Seeds Are High in Quality Protein
Chia seeds contain a decent amount of protein. By weight, they are about 14 percent protein, which is very high compared to most plants. They also contain a good balance of essential amino acids, so our bodies should be able to make use of the protein in them.

Protein has all sorts of benefits for health. It is also the most weight loss friendly nutrient in the diet, by far. A high protein intake reduces appetite and has been shown to reduce obsessive thoughts about food by 60 percent percent and the desire for night time snacking by 50 percent.

Chia seeds really are an excellent protein source, especially for people who eat little or no animal products.

Bottom Line: Chia seeds are high in quality protein, much higher than most plant foods. Protein is the most weight loss friendly macronutrient and can drastically reduce appetite and cravings.

Increases Iron Intake
You need iron to form red blood cells and carry oxygen throughout your body. Eating 2 tablespoons of chia seeds gives you 2.2 milligrams of iron, or 12 percent of the DV.

Contains Calcium
Calcium helps build strong bones, and it also plays a role in blood clotting and muscle and nerve function. Each serving of chia seeds has 176.7 milligrams of calcium, or 18 percent of the DV.