Chia Seeds – Surprising Health Benefits of These Tiny Black Seeds

Chia seeds are nutrient powerhouses that can have powerful health benefits. These tiny seeds are available in supermarkets and can be incorporated into many products, including smoothies, energy bars, cereals and more. Chia seeds are the richest source of omega 3 fatty acids and provide all the essential nutrients your body needs for proper functioning. Adding chia seeds to your diet is a healthy way to reap its nutritional benefits and stay super fit.

Let’s discover the health benefits of these tiny black seeds, their nutritional value and how to add chia seeds to your diet.

Nutritional Value of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are nutrient-dense superfoods that contain essential vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs, fiber, and omega 3 fatty acids. Here is a list of important nutrients found in chia seeds.

• Fiber
• Protein
• Omega 3 fatty acids
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• B Vitamins
• Potassium

Protein

Chia seeds contain high protein content that is considered as the most weight loss friendly macronutrient and offers various health benefits. Protein is a building block of bones, muscles, skin and cartilage. It is important for the formation of enzymes, hormones and different chemicals. Chia seeds can help control appetite and unnecessary food cravings, which will eventually make you eat fewer calories.

Fiber

Chia seeds are loaded with fiber that can promote weight loss. These black seeds contain water-soluble fiber that can absorb water and expand in your stomach. It will increase the feeling of satiety and slow down the absorption of food. Chia seeds can provide a healthy dose of fiber that supports digestive health, feeds the healthy gut bacteria, protects against cardiovascular diseases, and lowers blood pressure.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Chia seeds are the richest source of healthy fat omega 3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that is highly beneficial for your cardiovascular health. It can lower blood cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar levels, lower the risk of stroke, thrombosis, arrhythmias, and other heart-related disorders. Omega 3 fatty acid has an anti-inflammatory effect and can promote skin health, fight depression and improve sleep.

Calcium

Calcium is an essential mineral for healthy and strong bones. This important mineral is required for a healthy combination between the brain and muscles. Calcium regulates muscle contraction, heart rhythm and nerve function. It also plays a main role in blood clotting, maintaining blood pressure and enzyme functioning.  

Magnesium

Chia seeds contain magnesium that is in an important mineral required for the proper functioning of important enzymes, the transmission of nerve impulses, synthesis of fatty acids and metabolism of foods.

Manganese

Manganese is an important mineral that your body needs for the normal functioning of enzymes, brain and nervous system. It also plays a key role in blood sugar regulation and metabolism of nutrients.

Phosphorus

Chia seeds contain phosphorus, which your body needs for building strong bones and teeth, filtering waste, maintaining and repairing tissue and cells. It also assists in muscle contraction, facilitates nerve conduction and maintains a heartbeat.

B Vitamins

Chia seeds also contain essential B vitamins that are important for maintaining good health. Vitamin B complex is important for maintaining energy levels, muscle tone, hormone and cholesterol production, promoting digestion, cell growth, and cardiovascular health.

Potassium

These powerful nutritional seeds contain phosphorus that provides a lot of health benefits. It is important for stabilizing blood pressure, improving heart health, regulating neural function, strengthening muscles, reducing anxiety and stress.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

• Lower your risk of heart diseases
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol Levels
• Reduce blood sugar levels
• Good for colon health
• Important for Bone Health
• Reduce chronic inflammation
• Treat Obesity

Promote Heart Health

Chia seeds are loaded with fiber and omega 3 fatty acids that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders, including stroke, heart attack, and arrhythmias.

Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels

Some studies suggest that chia seeds can lower triglycerides inflammation and increase the level of good HDL cholesterol. It is because they are a rich source of fiber that can reduce bad, LDL cholesterol levels. Increased fiber content found in chia seeds can also reduce blood pressure.

Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

Incorporating chia seeds to your diet is a healthy way to keep your blood sugar in control and may prevent type 2 diabetes. Several studies have found that these nutrient-dense foods have the ability to convert glucose into a slow-release carbohydrate. People with type 2 diabetes are recommended to take chia seeds to keep their blood sugar stable.

Good for Colon Health

Chia seeds are fibre-rich foods that can absorb water in the gut and soften the consistency of stool to regulate bowel movements. Moreover, eating a fibre-filled diet can keep your digestive system healthy and prevent constipation, diverticular disease, hemorrhoids, duodenal ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Important for Bone Health  

Calcium is one of the most important minerals that are important for bone health. Chia seeds are packed with essential minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus that are essential for healthy bones.

Reduce chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation can increase your risk of developing heart diseases, cancer and other serious health issues. Chia seeds have an anti-inflammatory effect that helps your body to fight against bacterial and viral infections.

Treat Obesity

Chia seeds can help you shed unwanted body fat by reducing your appetite and calorie intake. Chia seeds contain fiber and protein that are considered as important nutrients for weight loss. The soluble fiber present in chia seeds can increase the feeling of fullness and slow the absorption of nutrients that can lead to weight loss. The high protein content of chia seeds can help you curb appetite and make you eat less. Obese people who are trying to lose weight are advised to include chia seeds in their diet to reap their maximum weight loss benefits.

Some Delicious Ways to Add Chia Seeds into Your Diet

These tiny superfoods can easily be incorporated into your diet. Let’s check out some creative and healthy ways to eat chia seeds.  

• Make them into pudding
• Use them as a topping
• Mix them into granola bars, muffins, bread
• Add them to delicious snacks
• Make your own jam or healthy spread
• Add them to your favorite chicken recipes or salads

Some Delicious Chia Seeds Recipe Ideas

• Chocolate chia pudding
• Raspberry ripple chia pudding
• Seedy Oat Crackers
• Tropical Energy Bars
• Coconut Chia-Tapioca Pudding
• Mixed Nut and Seed Crackers
• Flaxseed–Chia Seed Pancakes with Bacon
• Mango-Yogurt Pudding with Lucuma and Chia Seeds
• Turmeric-Ginger Tonic with Chia Seeds
• Blueberry-Chia Smoothie
• Super-Seedy Gluten-Free Bread
• Vanilla-almond chia breakfast bowl
• Apricot & seed protein bar
• Blueberry–Chia Seed Jam
• Pomegranate-Chia Seed Yogurt Parfait
• Chia Limeade
• Blueberry-Chia Ice Pops
• Chia Pudding with Dried Apricots and Pineapple
• Berry, Beet, Mint, Lime, and Chia Seed Smoothie
• Super (Chia) Bowl
• Cinnamon-Spiced Pear Chia Seed Pudding
• Coconut Almond Chia Granola
• Strawberry Chia Quinoa Bowl
• Lemon Chia Seed Protein Pancakes
• Pumpkin Bread with Walnuts
• Lemon Blueberry Chia Seed Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
• Greek Tzatziki Chia Fusilli Pasta Salad
• Veggie Chia and Sweet Potato Burgers
• Chia Crusted Sweet Potato Wedges
• Chia Meatballs with Easy Marinara
• Sweet and Sticky Chicken Drumsticks
• Chia Crusted Salmon with Shaved Fennel and Broccoli Salad
• Lemon Chia Chicken Zucchini Noodles
• Chia-Chimichurri Steak with Turnip-Chard Pasta
• Chicken Meatball Fajita Skillet

To Sum Things Up

Chia seeds are among a few superfoods that are packed with vital nutrients, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and protein.  These tiny seeds offer various health benefits, ranging from weight loss to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Chia seeds are so versatile. There are many scrumptious ways to add them to your diet for weight loss, healthy digestion, preventing heart disorders and improved bone health.