Why are Chia Seeds so good for you?
Chia seeds aren’t called a ‘superfood’ for nothing – there’s so much immensely beneficial nutrition packed into these tiny seeds that they’ve risen to be one of the most popular seeds you can buy.
Not only that – they also have some very unusual properties which really make them stand out from the crowd, and consequently are very in demand by vegans and many cooks following a ‘free from’ diet.
If you haven’t tried Chia yet and wondered what all the fuss was about, have a read about the magical benefits of these wonder-seeds!
They're packed with important minerals
Chia seeds are full of managanese, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, calcium, potassium, iron, selenium and molybdenum. These trace elements are micronutrients essential to ensure the healthy upkeep of your body. Chia seeds are one of the food world’s most perfect mineral delivery systems!
They're a superb source of Omega fats
The name chia comes from the Aztec word for ‘oily’ which is ‘chian’. Chia seeds are among the richest plant sources for essential fats such as ALA Omega-3 fatty acids, of which there are even more in Chia than in Flaxseed. They also contain Omega-6 fatty acids in the form of linoleic acid. There’s a perfect ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids in Chia (2 to 1), which helps them work in balance together to improve your health by reducing inflammation.
Just over a third of every chia seed by weight is fibre, making them a fantastic choice for anyone wanting to improve their digestive health. Eating chia seeds for their fibre will help you feel fuller for longer, as they pass slowly through the gut, and also help to regulate your blood sugar, as their energy is released more slowly.
You'll get loads of wonderful vitamins from Chia
These wonderful little seeds contain seven times as much vitamin C as oranges. Vitamin C is essential for the development, growth and repair of body tissues.
Chia seeds also pack in a decent amount of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin). The B vitamins are excellent for energy levels, and work wonders for brain function and cell metabolism.
Chia seeds are full of antioxidants
Chia seeds contain a fantastic level of antioxidants, as evidenced in this research paper from 2014.
The antioxidants not only stop the sensitive healthy fats in chia from going rancid, hugely extending their shelf life, but also they halt the production of free radicals, which can damage cell molecules and contribute to the ageing process.
There’s no natural gluten at all in chia seeds, making them an important ingredient of many ‘free from’ diets, including gluten-intolerant coeliac diets. Chia flour is an excellent addition to bread, cookies, granola, snack bars, energy balls and many other dishes.
They're a brilliant source of protein
Around 14% of the weight of a chia seed is protein. They also contain an impressive amount of amino acids, which help your body to use the protein as efficiently as possible.
Protein is fantastic for weight loss because it reduces cravings and the impulse to snack, as this research paper shows, so chia seeds are perfect for anyone trying to lose weight!
We have whole seeds, chia flour and a whole treasure chest of healthy products containing chia. Dive in here!