Whole Food Nutrition with  Chia Seeds

Many of us have heard of the Chia Pet. Some of us even remember the silly “chi, chi, chia” jingle! But have you heard of eating chia seeds? Chia seeds are one of the most nutritious superfoods known yet so few people are enjoying them.

I made this video to help share the beauty of chia seed consumption and I’ve got loads of chia seed facts below the video. After you’ve learned a thing or two about the amazing chia seed, get yourself some and add them to your diet for wonderful nutritional benefits.

How to Prevent Chronic Disease with Chia Seeds

1. The gel that forms when a chia seed is soaked is due to soluble fiber in the chia. In your digestive system, this gel actually slows down the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar, thus helps to stablize blood sugar.
2. Chia is an excellent source of Essential Fatty Acids, which are critical for concentration and other brain functions.
3. Chia nutrients like proteins, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, and complex carbohydrates energize you.
4. Chia seeds swell in water and help to make you feel full and potentially eat less which can help in weight loss efforts.
5. Chia contains soluble fiber has been shown to help lower cholesterol.
6. Chia is high in protein and helpful in a weight loss or muscle building diet. Plus it’s even low-carb and vegetarian!
7. Chia contains calcium and contains the trace mineral boron which speeds the rate at which calcium is absorbed and utlized by the body.
8. Remember that chia seeds are loaded with over 60% omega-3 essential fatty acids. Not only are they good for your mental clarify, those same essential fatty acids help skin, nails, and hair grow strong and healthy. Plus, they’re also a great source of protein, which is essential to grow healthy hair, nails, and skin. They contain more omega-3’s than flax seed. Omega fatty acids are important for concentration and brain health as well as other metabolic processes.
9. Chia has an extremely low glycemic index of 1, and actually helps to lower the rate at which other carbohydrates are converted to sugars.

How to prevent Digestive Health Issues with Chia Seeds

• Chia seeds can soak up to ten times their weight in water! If it were to soak for a half an hour or so, the gel effect is even more dramatic. The gel is actually soluble fiber that is swelling in the water into hydrophylic colloid that has a medicinal affect for many digestive health issues.
• Chia seeds provide calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, zinc, and even boron (which helps the absorbing of calcium by the body).
• Chia is a gluten free source of fiber and nutrition. If you have food allergies, check with your doctor, but chia is generally beneficial to the digestive system.
• Chia is composed of over 20% protein, which is about 2 to 3 times higher than other seeds and grains. If you are a vegetarian looking for protein sources, chia seeds are a good source. Plus, the protein source in chia is readily digestible and available to the body.
• Chia has both soluble fiber (which forms the outer gel), and insoluble fiber. Both types of fiber are healthy for the digestive system. The insoluble fiber helps cleans the intestinal tract. The soluble fiber can act as aprebiotic and help feed the good bacteria in your digestive system.

Note: Chia seeds do not need to be ground for their nutrients to be available to the body. Plus, chia is very shelf stable without the need for fancy packaging or concern of rancidity.