Who needs flaxseeds when you have chia seeds? The health benefits of
chia seeds far outweigh perceived health benefits of any superfood on
the market today. Unlike flax, chia seeds are actually absorbed by the
body (if you ever eat a whole flax seed, your body can’t do anything
with it, and it is highly probable that you will see it in your poop,
too!).
Being one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, chia
seeds should, without a doubt, be apart of your daily eating routine.
You can stick them in salads, make puddings (they gelatinize once they
touch water), put them in smoothies, or use them in replacement for
eggs. Did I mention that they are gluten-free, too?
10 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds
Here are 10 incredible health benefits of chia seeds, and why you should probably start eating them more often!
1. Loaded With Omegas
Ditch the fish! Chia seeds
contain 8x MORE omegas than salmon! Chia seeds are packed with Omega-3
fatty acids, which are incredibly important for brain health. It is
important to remember, though, that the Omega-3’s in chia seeds are
mostly ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid), which when not balanced properly with
EPA and DHA can create problems if you are not also including healthy
sources of these two acids.
2. Excellent Source of Fibre
Only
2 tbsp. of chia seeds contains 10 grams of fibre! Adding some chia
seeds to your diet will help push out excess toxic waste matter from the
digestive tract, and will help prevent colon cancer.
3. Calcium Packed
Did
you know that chia seeds contain 5x MORE calcium than milk? Eating chia
seeds every day can help maintain your bone and oral health, preventing
osteoporosis and other bone-related disorders. This makes chia seeds a
great alternative for people who don’t eat dairy!
4. High In Vitamin C
In
fact, chia seeds contain 7x more vitamin C than oranges! As we all
know, vitamin C is important for building a healthy immune system, and
is also needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your
body.
5. Great Source of Amino Acids
Amino
acids are the protein building blocks of creating strong, healthy
muscles! Just 2 tbsp. of chia seeds contain over 4 grams of protein
(nearly 10% of your daily value!).
6. Loaded With Antioxidants
Because
chia seeds contain delicate fats, they require A LOT of antioxidants to
prevent them from degrading and going rancid (kind of like a protection
mechanism). Antioxidants help fight off free radicals in the body,
which normally damage cells and contribute to aging and diseases like
cancer.
7. Lower The Risk of Heart Disease & Type 2 Diabetes
Chia
seeds help to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing
HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing inflammation. A study conducted by
Cleveland Clinic showed that chia seeds help improve blood pressure in
diabetics (which isn’t surprising given the high fibre content of chia
seeds which help reduce blood sugar spikes after meals).
8. Improve Exercise Performance (as much as sports drinks!)
According
to ancient studies, the Aztecs and Mayans used chia seeds to help fuel
their performance throughout the day. The ALA content of chia seeds is
also incredibly useful in post-exercise recovery in athletes or
individuals who exercise daily.
9. High In Bone-Supporting Manganese & Phosphorous
Not
only are chia seeds high in calcium, but they are also loaded with
manganese and phosphorous, two crucial minerals involved in bone health.
Individuals with low manganese levels also often suffer from poor bone
formation. Phosphorous also helps the body synthesize protein for cell
and tissue growth and repair.
10. Fight Belly Fat
Due
to the high fibre content in chia seeds, they have a stabilizing effect
on blood sugar, which consequently fights insulin resistance (a main
factor that contributes to belly fat). Chia seeds also help us get full,
faster, due to their high tryptophan content, also helping to regulate
appetite, sleep and improve our mood!
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