Nutritional benefits of chia seeds, an ideal beneficial food for its nutritional richness, and its properties as a superfood.
The so-called chia seeds are seeds from a plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which is native to Central America, where indigenous tribes have been consuming it for more than 6,000 years. In fact, their use in religious rituals was very common, precisely because they were attributed with a great diversity of benefits, properties and qualities.
In recent years these seeds have become very fashionable, so that their consumption has increased enormously due to the fact that they can be found more easily in herbalists and specialized health food stores.
Nutritional benefits of chia seeds
From a nutritional point of view, there is no doubt that chia seeds stand out from the beginning for their good quality protein content. In fact, they contain a higher percentage of protein than other cereals, and they also contain lysine (an amino acid that most cereals do not contain).
They are especially rich in essential fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, highlighting above all their very high content in the former. As you surely know, these fatty acids help prevent cardiovascular diseases, circulation problems and hypertension.
They are also seeds that stand out for their high content of soluble fiber, so that they are ideal not only for people who suffer from constipation, but also have diabetes, by helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
Regarding its content in both vitamins and minerals, the following stand out above all:
- Vitamins: they are rich in B vitamins, which are essential to maintain good skin, tissue and nervous system health, and in vitamin A, essential for eye health.
- Minerals: they are rich in potassium and calcium, essential minerals for maintaining good bone and tooth health.
Therefore, there is no doubt that chia seeds are an excellent food to add to our daily diet. And it is that its nutritional wealth provides us with the majority of essential nutrients that we need every day.
Other benefits of chia seeds, in summary
Chia is extremely rich in fiber, which helps to promote and regulate intestinal transit. That is, its seeds become an excellent natural option when it comes to preventing and improving constipation, especially when it appears occasionally, by helping to improve our intestinal transit.
It is rich in essential fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 6, these acids prevent us from cardiovascular diseases, avoiding circulation problems and also hypertension. Furthermore, they help reduce high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, as long as their consumption is regular and they are eaten within a varied and healthy diet.
From a nutritional point of view, they are also rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, and protein. The vitamins present in its seeds are group B vitamins and vitamin A. Due to its protein, vitamin and mineral content, it is recommended for athletes and for people who make physical efforts during their workday as it provides energy and vitality.
Being rich in antioxidants, it prevents the aging of the cells of our body, helping us to reduce the negative action of free radicals and to control them.
The consumption of chia is usually recommended in weight loss diets as it contains satiating properties. These properties are achieved because when mixed with liquid they form a gel and increase its volume.
This is because they absorb 10 times their weight in water, which gives us the feeling of being full.
The liquids with which we can mix Chia seeds are: water, infusions, milk, juices, smoothies, liquid yogurt.
It is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet in which you can include chia seeds and if you decide to do a weight loss diet, we always recommend doing it under the control of a nutritionist or doctor.
Chia seeds are also used as another ingredient to prepare different food recipes, in salads, in fruit salads, in bakeries, in pastries.
