8 Health Benefits of Consuming Chia Seeds

Today, superfoods are gaining its importance far and wide due to its role in healthy eating. Everyday, a new superfood gets introduced in the market with an aim to bring a healthy lifestyle. Chia seed is one of them.

Health benefits of chia seeds were quite famous, centuries back. Today it is regaining its importance and here is why.

Chia seeds belong to the family Labiatae from the plant Salvia hispanica, related to mint. Their popularity among all the superfoods has increased lately and we cannot thank enough of that. Do not go with its tiny size, these seeds can do wonders in your healthy lifestyle.

So, why is chia seeds popular? In the ancient world, these tiny seeds were used as energy boosters.

Reason being that chia seed contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, calcium and antioxidants.

Chia seeds are 100% natural and whole grain with extremely low calorie content. They are naturally gluten free and a boon to all the weight watchers. Chia seeds are black and white in color and nutty in flavor. They can be easily included in the diet by just mixing chia seeds in water.

While the health benefits of chia seeds in weight loss is a most frequent question that we hear, let’s discuss even more interesting facts about these tiny seeds today.

Chia seeds are fiber rich

Nearly half the weight of chia seeds is fiber. In fact the entire carbohydrate content in chia seeds are fiber. This enables chia seeds to absorb water as much as their weight, forming a gel like structure around the seed.

The fiber in chia seeds nourishes the friendly bacteria in your intestine. This keeps your gut flora full and healthy. Due to its maximum fiber content chia seeds are known as one of the best sources of fiber in the world.

Chia seeds contains high-antioxidant content

Antioxidants are required by our bodies to fight against several oxidative damages created by free radicals. These antioxidants should be included in a diet through different food sources.

Chia seeds are a potential source of antioxidants. Hence they are believed to have effects on cardiac, anti-aging effects and hepatic protective effects. These properties have led to utilization of these natural seeds for better health.

Chia seeds are low in calorie

Chia seeds are a whole grain food that are naturally gluten free. An ounce of chia seeds contains only 101 calories which is surprisingly very low for a whole-grain. This makes it a best alternative for regular grains, especially for weight watchers.

Natural source of Omega-3 fatty acid

Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats. They benefit in protecting your cardiovascular system. These fats are essential for your body but it cannot produce them on its own. Hence it becomes important to get it from food or supplements.

Chia seeds can be your topmost options for these fats. They are a great source of Alpha-Linolenic Acid, highly beneficial for heart health. These seeds can be easily added in your daily diet.

Chia seeds is beneficial in weight loss

Many nutritionists today recommend addition of chia seeds as an obesity control measure. Due to its high fiber content, addition of these seeds in the diet can make you feel fuller for longer. This will prevent you from overeating.

As mentioned earlier, chia seeds are low in calories, this could be beneficial in your diets as a replacement for other whole grains. However, there is very little evidence on the effect of chia seeds on weight loss.

Benefits in maintaining heart health

The high content of omega-3 fatty acids in chia seeds promotes the raise of HDL cholesterol. This prevents the risks of heart attack and stroke.

The richness of chia seeds in fiber and protein also helps in protecting from the risks of heart diseases.

Increases bone strength

The unusually high content of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber in chia seeds comes with numerous health benefits. Consistently consuming chia seeds for a long term has brought improvement of health in many individuals.

Some studies have shown that long term consumption of chia seeds has helped in managing body weight and composition. It has had its effect over the musculoskeletal system as well.

Reduces blood sugar levels

Chia seeds are known to consist of potential factors that may be of great help for diabetes patients. These tiny seeds with richness of fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids, are involved in reducing the LDL cholesterol and also raise in HDL cholesterol.

Practically, it is not proven that chia seeds alone can be more effective in treating diabetic patients. But, with health benefits of such a limit, it is definitely effective in terms of preventing lifestyle disorders like diabetes.