Chia seeds health benefits

Information on Chia Seeds

Chia is a plant that comes from the mint family known as the lamiaceae and it actually originates from certain parts of Guatemala andMexico. Chia seeds are very popular because they have exceptional nutritionalvalue and they provide numerous different health benefits. Chia has beencultivated as a food source for numerous centuries and even the ancient Aztecshave cultivated it. Chia can be traced back to 3500 B.C. by certain archaeologicalevidences.

Nowadays chia is still widely cultivated in those same regions becauseof its remarkable nutritional value. Chia seeds are quite popular in the lastfew years, so the plant is now grown commercially in numerous different partsof the world. The biggest producer of chia seeds is Australia and they areactually marketed under numerous different names. Oil can be extracted from theseeds and it also has exceptional nutritional values. Chia seeds and oil areboth excellent sources of amino acids, antioxidant substances and omega-3 fattyacids.

Chia can be characterized by clusters of white or purple flowers whichare located on the spike at the end of each stem. The seeds are very small andthey have an oval shape and mottled appearance. Usually they are black, grey,white or brown. Each seed is made from 34 percent oil, 20 percent protein andthe rest is made from water soluble dietary fiber.

They are one of the bestsources of antioxidant substances and omega-3 fatty acids. Each ounce of chiaseeds contains up to 140 calories, 265 mg of potassium, 12.3 grams ofcarbohydrates, 44.8 mg of potassium, 10.6 grams of water soluble dietary fiber,177 mg of calcium, 4915 mg of omega-3 fatty acids and 1620 of omega-6 fattyacids.

Chia seeds are also a remarkable source of vitamin E, vitamin C, andvitamin B. The seeds can be consumed in its raw form, soaked in water or usedfor the preparation of numerous different types of porridges, baking productsor puddings.

Chia Seeds Health Benefits

Chia seeds are very efficient in reducing high bloodpressure and improving the cardiovascular health. They are also beneficial instabilizing the levels of sugar in the blood.

They have very potentanti-inflammatory properties which is good for those who suffer from arthritis.Chia seeds are also of great help when it comes to the boosting of themetabolism and promoting the lean muscle mass. They can also be of great helpfor those who take part in weight maintenance programs.

Chia seeds are alsoefficient in improving the brain functions, promoting nerve transmission andproviding precious energy.