11 Proven Health Benefits of Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet. They’re loaded with nutrients that can have important benefits for your body and brain.
- Chia Seeds Deliver a Massive Amount of Nutrients With Very Few Calories. 28 grams – about two tablespoons – serving of Chia Seeds contains:
- Fiber : 11 grams
- Protein : 4 grams
- Fat : 9 grams (5 of which are omega-3s)
- Calcium : 18% of the RDI
- Manganese : 30% of the RDI
- Magnesium : 30% of the RDI
- Phosphorus : 27% of the RDI
- They also contain a decent amount of zinc, vitamin B3 (niacin), potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B2
- Chia Seeds Are Loaded With Antioxidants
- Almost All the Carbs in Them Are Fiber
- Chia Seeds Are High in Quality Protein
- The High Fiber and Protein Content in Chia Seeds May Help You Lose Weight
- Chia Seeds Are High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Chia Seeds May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
- They’re High in Many Important Bone Nutrients
- Chia Seeds are high in several nutrients that are important for bone health
- This includes calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and protein
- Chia Seeds May Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
- High fasting blood sugar levels are a typical symptom of untreated type 2 diabetes
- Consistently high fasting blood sugar levels are associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases, including heart disease
- They May Reduce Chronic Inflammation
- Inflammation is your body’s normal response to infection or injury. Red and swollen skin is a typical example.
- Chia Seeds Are Easy to Incorporate Into Your Diet
- They can be eaten raw, soaked in juice, added to porridge, pudding, smoothies or added to baked goods.
- You can also sprinkle them on top of cereal, yogurt, vegetables or rice dishes.
- Because of their ability to absorb both water and fat, they can be used to thicken sauces and as egg substitutes in recipes.
- They can also be mixed with water and turned into a gel.
Adding Chia Seeds to recipes will dramatically boost their nutritional value.