Consuming chia seeds regularly can improve your health in numerous ways. Some of the top chia seed benefits are:
Heart Health
Chia has high Omega-3 fatty acids and it works to protect the heart by lowering blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and inflammation. Inflammation can put strain on blood vessels and cause heart disease. So by eating chia seeds regularly you can boost and protect your heart.
Skin & Aging
Chia seeds are one of nature’s riches antioxidants. Antioxidants speed up the skin’s repair systems, and prevent further damage. Taking chia seeds can prevent premature skin aging due to inflammation free radical damage.
Digestive Health
Being high in dietary fiber, chia helps promote bowel regularity and healthy stool. Also when consumed, chia seeds create a gelatin-like substance in the stomach. This gel-forming action is due to the soluble fiber in chia seeds and it can work as a prebiotic supporting the growth of probiotics in the gut.
Help Treat Diabetes
Chia is super rich in fiber, one serving can provide the recommended fiber intake for the day. Fiber is essential for your body’s ability to balance insulin levels. Chia can be a natural blood sugar balancer due to it’s high fiber content and healthy fats.
Because chia seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid and fiber, researchers from the University of Litoral in Argentina set out to determine how chia seeds can help prevent metabolic disorders like dyslipidemia (excessive fat in the blood) and insulin resistance – which are two factors in the development of diabetes.
Boost Your Energy & Metabolism
A recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning concluded that consuming chia seeds enhanced exercise performance for workouts in the same way a sugar-laden sports drink would, but without sugar at all. In the study, half of the athletes drank 100 percent Gatorade, while the others consumed half Gatorade and half chia drink. Their running time were matched and the half-chia group consumed far less sugar. Chia not giving a high energy but also endurance which is needed for hard and long exercise activities like cycling and marathon running.
Stronger Bones
Chia is rich in Calcium, just one ounce of chia seeds has 18% of the recommended daily amount of calcium. Calcium is fundamental in bone health and helps maintain bone strength and mass. Chia also contains boron which is another essential nutrient for bone health.
Build Muscle & Lose Weight
Chia is an excellent source of plant based Protein. This is another reason why CHIA is great to consume for those trying to put on tough lean muscle, burn fat, and balance blood sugar levels. Furthermore, Chia seeds pack a powerful antioxidant punch to help replace some of those nutrients lost when exercising.
The rich fiber content in chia seeds also helps people feel more full quicker because it absorbs a considerable amount of water and immediately expands in the stomach when eaten. This may explain clinical studies have proven that chia curbs hunger and suppresses appetite, which can also lead to weight loss. According to the published research in the British Journal of Nutrition the dietary addition of chia seeds also reduced visceral adipose tissue, a “belly fat” tissue that effects the metabolism of the body and is a component of obesity! By adding a serving of chia seeds a day you can help boost your metabolism and burn belly fat as well
One of the characteristics that make chia so unique is that it can absorb up to 10X its own weight in water. Because of this, chia seeds can prolong hydration and improve nutrient absorption of electrolytes. This also slows digestion and keeps you feeling fuller longer reducing sugar cravings.
And because chia seeds are also high in zinc, they help your body increase leptin. Leptin is a key hormone that regulates your bodies appetite, how your body spends energy and regulates how your energy levels! It also improves stamina and endurance, making chia a great source of nutrition if you are looking to get in shape.
Fight Breast and Cervical Cancer
Chia seeds are rich in alpha lineic acid (or ALA) which is an Omega-3 fatty acid. Recently in 2013, the Journal of Molecular Biochemistry found that ALA limited the growth of cancer cells in both breast and cervical cancers. They also found that it caused cell death of the cancer cells without harming the normal healthy cells.
Dental Health
Chia seeds being packed with calcium, phosphorus, Vitamin A and zinc, so they are a top food to help your teeth! Calcium is the building block of your teeth and necessary for tooth health. Zinc prevents tarter by keeping plaque from mineralizing onto your teeth and has an antibacterial effect that keeps bad breath germs away. Vitamin A and phosphorus are also important for strong teeth and a healthy mouth.
