What Are The Health Benefits For Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are very tiny black seeds that come from the plant Salvia Hispanica. They are kin to the mint family and native to South America. More and more people are wondering what are the health benefits for chia seeds and learning that adding them to your diet can help improve your health in many ways.

These seeds are usually organically grown and they’re classified as a whole grain food. They have a mild but nutty flavor and go great with all types of dishes.

Chia Seeds Nutritional Information

If you’re not familiar with this food, you may be surprised to learn that the nutritional content and health benefits of these seeds make them one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Chia seeds nutrition is the same regardless of how you eat them but in their natural, dry state, they’re crunchy and taste similar to poppy seeds.

Here are the main nutrients you’ll find in chia seeds:

• Protein
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Fiber
• Phosphorus
• Fats
• Zinc
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Vitamin B1, 2 and 3

In addition to having all these nutrients, chia seeds have very few calories. For this reason, you can enjoy them as much as you want without having to worry about gaining weight. However, you should be aware that when mixed with water the seeds will absorb the liquid and swell up. They will do the same with the juices in your stomach. It’s what makes you feel full so you eat less but it also means that you need to drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated or constipated.

All of these vitamins, minerals and nutrients help to make chia seeds one of the healthiest foods you can consume. They’re gluten free so they’re perfect for anyone on a gluten free diet and they have the potential to help improve your overall health.

You can eat chia seeds raw or you can bake them in other foods. Sprinkle them on top of your favorite food for a little added flavor or add them to sauces to make them thicker. Here are 21 chia seed recipes to help you enjoy this nutritional food.

How Chia Seeds Nutrients Improve Your Health

These seeds are full of antioxidants that fight against free radicals, which cause many health problems including cancer. The antioxidants found in these seeds can also help protect you from premature aging.

The fiber helps to improve digestion but it may also help you maintain a healthy weight by making you feel full so you eat less. A diet including lots of chia seeds may also help lower blood sugar levels, and also help reduce your risks for diabetes.

If you drink a lot of sports drinks just to get that quick burst of energy, you may want to consider switching them out for organic chia seeds: try to make a chia seeds drink and enjoy all the benefits without the side effects of those energy drinks. These seeds are a lot healthier for you and they can improve your performance in the exact same way. Are you ready to take advantage of their many nutritional benefits by adding them to your diet plan?

How To Add Chia Seeds To Your Diet

You may wonder how you can add chia seeds to your diet. Here are a few easy ways to incorporate these amazing seeds into your meals:

• Add them to your yogurt
• Sprinkle on your morning cereal
• Add the to your smoothies
• Incorporate them into your bread, if you make your own bread. I do and they add a great flavor, not to mention the benefits!
• I add ground chia seeds to my patties: helps keep my composition together better
• Use chia seeds to substitute eggs: 1 tablespoon of ground chia seeds and  3 tablespoons of water will replace an egg

Where To Buy Chia Seeds

More and more stores carry chia seeds these days. Look at your local health food store, or in specialty stores. I bought my first bag of chia seeds at Costco, but now I generally order online.