Introduction
Chia seeds, despite their small size, are packed with vitamins, minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and antioxidants. They may be a healthy supplement to a balanced diet and have a moderate, nutty flavour. There are multiple chia seed benefits that you must know about.
According to some studies, these seeds can help increase the proportion of ‘good’ cholesterol to ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood.
Here we have elaborated on the significance and benefits of chia seeds and the nutritional value they bring to the table.
What are chia seeds?
Chia seeds, also known as Salvia hispanica, are well recognized for having a number of health advantages since they contain vital minerals and nutrients. The ability of this whole grain to aid in weight reduction, bone health, and cardiovascular health has led scientists to label it a superfood.
Nutritional value of chia seed
Chia seeds are rich in nutrients like:
- Calcium
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Copper
- Iron
- Phosphorus
Nutrients Per Serving of Chia Seed:
Chia seeds pack a punch when it comes to wholesome nutrition and are a superfood in itself. Many fitness experts recommend consuming chia seeds as they contain a bunch of nutrients that help in building a healthy body.
28.35 grams of chia seeds have:
- Calories: 138
- Protein: 4.7 grams
- Fat: 8.7 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12 gram
- Fibre: 9.8 grams
Top 7 Chia Seed Benefits
Chia seeds are superfoods that have multiple health benefits. From being packed with antioxidants and their ability to prevent sugar spikes, they’re a must-addition to your diet. There are several chia seeds benefits for females as well, including improving skin health. Let’s visit these benefits one by one.
- Helps in Weight Loss
- Rich in Antioxidants
- Improves Dental Health
- Improves Bone Health
- Improves Cardiovascular Health
- Prevents Spike in Sugar Levels
- Full of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Chia seeds for weight loss
Eating foods high in protein and fibre will cause you to lose weight. Chia seed fibre helps you feel full because it swells after taking in a lot of water from your body. They are also rich in protein. They can absorb water up to 12 times their weight. Chia seeds for weight loss are an excellent choice, making it one of the most important benefits of chia seeds for those watching their weight.
Rich in Antioxidants
According to studies, antioxidants prevent your body from producing free radicals. Free radicals may harm your cells, which makes them harmful.
As a result, they have the potential to lead to illnesses like cancer in later life. They are also to blame for ageing and cognitive deterioration.
Their antioxidant content can shield your cells from these threats. Remember that getting antioxidants from natural sources is preferable to getting them from pills.
Improves Dental Health
Your teeth benefit greatly from nutrients including zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin A.
Chia seeds are excellent for dental health because they include calcium, which helps to strengthen your teeth. In addition, zinc reduces tartar by halting the formation of plaque.
Additionally, because of its antibacterial properties, the microorganisms that cause foul breath are unable to survive. Your teeth are strengthened and kept healthy by phosphorus and vitamin A.
Improves Bone Health
Chia seeds can supply roughly 18 per cent of your daily calcium needs in a single meal. Due to its role in maintaining bone mass and strength, this mineral is crucial for bone health.
They also include boron, which further enhances the condition of your bones. It is in charge of metabolising phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and manganese, all of which support the development of healthy bones.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Recent research suggests that dietary fibre can help control inflammation and the immune system. Therefore, increasing chia seed consumption may lower the risk of illnesses including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer that are associated with inflammation.
Blood pressure and cholesterol levels have been shown to decrease with increased fibre consumption.
A little 10-gram increase in daily fibre consumption decreased both LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’ and total cholesterol levels in the body. Consequently, consuming chia seeds might aid in lowering cholesterol levels.
Prevents Spike in Sugar Levels
Consuming enough chia seeds in your daily diet can prevent rising blood sugar levels.
They are a fantastic source of fibre, so your body won’t have to raise blood sugar levels to process them.
Your pancreas does not have to produce more insulin as a result of this. Consuming foods high in fibre will stabilise your blood sugar levels.
A National Institute of Medicine Research has demonstrated what occurs when you consume a diet that has 14 grams of fibre for every 1,000 calories.
The risk of type 2 diabetes was seen to have been significantly decreased. Another study demonstrated the beneficial benefits of these tiny seeds on people with diabetes.
The patients who consumed chia seeds showed signals of improvement in health indicators including vWF, hs-CRP, and blood pressure, the researchers discovered.
Can Chia Seeds Really Help You Lose Weight?
Chia seeds are said to reduce hunger and aid in weight reduction in a lot of online claims. It is believed that they keep you fuller longer since they are filling and high in fibre. Thus, they could aid in preventing overeating.
Chia seeds offer about 10 grams of fibre in two teaspoons. That amounts to around 40% of the daily recommended consumption. Weight reduction has been correlated with fibre-rich diets. According to research, consuming 30 grams of fibre every day may aid in weight loss on par with sophisticated diet plans.
If you are seeking to lose weight then you should definitely not miss out on chia seeds. Many health experts have also advised consuming an adequate amount of chia seeds in their diet to achieve the weight loss goal. If you are wondering how to use chia seeds for weight loss, we recommend drinking chia water.
How can chia seeds improve skin?
Want healthy-looking skin? Then you must add chia seeds to your diet because chia seeds for skin are considered beneficial. They contain vitamin E, which is an excellent nutrient for the skin. It may reduce damage caused by the sun by absorbing UV rays and reducing the skin’s inflammatory response. So, now that you know chia seeds benefits for skin and other benefits, let’s talk about how you can include chia seeds in your diet.
How to eat chia seeds?
Chia seeds can be added to baked foods like cakes and muffins, oats or on top of yogurt or dahi. You can also sprinkle them on top of food chaats. Smoothies. You can also drink chia seed water. Simply soak one tablespoon of chia seeds in water for 10 minutes. Drink it warm.
Closing thoughts
Chia seeds provide a wealth of amazing advantages, from promoting weight loss to enhancing bone and cardiovascular health. Consider including these small seeds in your favourite cuisine or serving them with dessert. To benefit from the various advantages of chia seeds, simply include them in your diet.
As for chia seeds side effects, there may be some if you eat them in excess. These side effects may be digestive issues and allergic reactions. It is suggested that you eat them in moderation. Although there is no one fixed limit, it depends on several factors, including age, sex, health status, and dietary needs. Health experts recommend consuming about one to two tablespoons (15 to 30 grams) of chia seeds every day.
This article addresses both the chia seeds benefits and side effects to help you decide if you should genuinely include them in your diet. It’s always best to undergo health checkups to have an idea of how you should fill the nutrition gaps if there are any. These health checkups give a complete report about your health, allowing you to take necessary precautionary measures to improve your well-being and keep a host of ailments at bay.
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