5 important benefits of chia seeds we bet you didn't know!

Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet.They’re loaded with nutrients that can have important benefits for your body and brain.

Here are 5 health benefits of chia seeds:

Lots of nutrients, very few calories

Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is related to mint. Chia seeds were an important food for the Aztecs and Mayans back in the day. They prized them for their ability to provide sustainable energy. 

In fact, 'chia' is the ancient Mayan word for 'strength'. Despite their ancient history as a dietary staple, chia seeds became recognised as a modern-day superfood only recently. In the past few years, they have exploded in popularity and are now consumed by health conscious people all over the world.

Loaded with antioxidants

Another area in which chia seeds shine is their high antioxidant content. These antioxidants protect the sensitive fats in the seeds from going rancid. Though the benefits of antioxidant supplements are debated, researchers agree that getting antioxidants from foods can have positive health effects.

Most importantly, antioxidants fight the production of free radicals, which can damage cell molecules and contribute to aging and diseases like cancer.

High in quality protein

Chia seeds contain a decent amount of protein. By weight, they’re about 14% protein, which is very high compared to most plants.

They also have a good balance of essential amino acids, so your body should be able to make use of their protein content. Protein has various health benefits and is by far the most weight loss-friendly dietary nutrient.

Lesser risk of heart diseases

Given that chia seeds are high in fiber, protein and omega-3s, they may reduce your risk of heart disease. Their benefits have been examined in several studies, but the results have been inconclusive. 

Chia seeds can lower certain risk factors, including triglycerides, inflammation, insulin resistance and belly fat. They may also raise 'good' HDL cholesterol.

Easy to incorporate in diet

Chia seeds are incredibly easy to incorporate into your diet. The seeds themselves taste rather bland, so you can add them to pretty much anything. They also don’t need to be ground like flax seeds, which makes them much easier to prepare. 

They can be eaten raw, soaked in juice, added to porridge, pudding, smoothies or added to baked goods. You can also sprinkle them on top of cereal, yogurt, vegetables or rice dishes.

Cheers to chia! Stay healthy!!