Chia seeds are gaining more and more followers. This food, consumed for centuries by the Aztec peoples of Mexico, has entered with force in our diet thanks to the amount of properties and benefits it brings us. If you want to know the benefits and properties of consuming chia on a regular basis, join us to learn more about this incredible food.
Chia is a seed that has been consumed for centuries in some parts of the world, but nevertheless, has come to our diet not many years ago. But undoubtedly, it has come to stay, as it has more and more followers thanks to all the properties and benefits attributed to chia.
All this, added to its ease of use, makes it one of the favorite superfoods for many people. It also has a multitude of uses in the kitchen. It is very versatile and we can include it in a multitude of recipes, from creams and purees as decoration; in the dressing of a salad; or even to make desserts of all kinds.
But in addition, it can be consumed raw (which is the most beneficial for our organism) by simply mixing it with milk, yogurt, or fruit. So we will get very healthy dishes with little effort.
So if you want to know in detail all the benefits and properties that chia brings us, stay with us and read on.
But first, do you know what this seed is?
These small brown or grayish colored balls, with black and white spots, are the seeds of the Salvia Hispanica plant. A plant native to Mexico, where Chia seeds have been consumed since pre-Columbian times.
Back then they were already well known thanks to their health properties.
Benefits and Properties of Chia
Chia is a food rich in different nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Among them stands out its enormous contribution of vitamin A, of which it provides us with 4,000% of the recommended daily amount in only 100 grams. And, if you think it is a high amount, nothing like that. The body keeps what it needs, discarding the rest. Moreover, many experts recommend diets high in vitamins (with higher than recommended amounts) to treat certain ailments or problems naturally.
In addition to its great contribution of Vitamin A, we find in chia large amounts of iron and phosphorus, with percentages above 80% of the recommended daily amount.
It is also a food rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, essential to maintain a healthy and balanced diet, and enjoy good health. But these are just some examples of all the contributions of chia, let’s now see in detail the benefits and properties that gives us include chia in our diet on a regular basis.
Prevents premature aging of our cells
Thanks to its high contribution of natural antioxidants, a regular consumption of Chia favors the regeneration of our cells; and, at the same time that it fights free radicals, it helps us to repair tissues and cells. This translates into avoiding premature aging of cells, organs, skin…
Another benefits of chia consumption is its ability to protect the heart.
Thanks to its contribution of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, a regular consumption of Chia seeds helps us to maintain a good cardiovascular health. At the same time it helps us to prevent coronary diseases. But, while protecting our heart, it also helps us to reduce cholesterol levels thanks to these two essential fatty acids in our diet.
Chia is a great ally of our bones
Thanks to the amount of minerals that chia consumption provides us with, among which calcium, phosphorus and magnesium stand out, chia helps us to maintain strong and healthy bones.
Another benefit of chia is its ability to prevent or reduce stress.
Again, thanks to its mineral content. Specifically, magnesium. An essential mineral to feel relaxed and calm, avoiding stress.
Improves our gastrointestinal health
Thanks to the important contribution of fiber that gives us the consumption of chia, it improves our intestinal transit, favoring the creation of healthy microorganisms and essential for the proper functioning of our digestive system.
It also prevents constipation thanks to the mucilaginous capacity of chia seeds. When we combine chia with any liquid ingredient, it absorbs a lot of liquid, hydrating itself. When it can no longer absorb more, it begins to create a gelatinous layer, giving the liquid in which we have included it a gel-like texture very characteristic of this seed.
This viscous substance moisturizes and lubricates our intestinal tract, which favors and stimulates its functioning. And, of course, it also improves our digestion.
Another benefit of Chia: It helps us to lose weight.
Another benefit of Chia is its satiating capacity. Thanks to its mucilaginous capacity that we explained above, with a small amount of Chia we feel highly satiated. This avoids snacking between meals, that great enemy when we want to lose weight.
Prevents Diabetes
And this is thanks to its contribution of fiber, mentioned above. Fiber captures a large part of the sugar we ingest and releases it slowly. In this way, we avoid very high blood glucose peaks.
And, to benefit from all these properties, many experts agree that the best time of day to consume chia seeds is at breakfast.
It will help us to boost digestion and improve bowel movement. At the same time they will give us the necessary energy to start the day with strength. And the proteins in chia seeds are a good alternative to milk or meat for breakfast.
But, can I take chia every day?
Although as we have seen, chia is a very healthy seed and has many properties for our body, it can also have some adverse effects if we exceed its consumption.
The recommended daily amount is 25 grams. This would be equivalent to two tablespoons.
But, if you have never consumed this food, it is not recommended that you include it in your diet all at once, on a daily basis. You can start with small amounts (one dessert spoon), and every two or three days. If you do not feel any discomfort and it feels good, you can increase the amount little by little until you reach 25 grams per day.
And you, have you already included chia seeds in your diet? How do you usually take it? Remember to leave us your comments, ideas, opinions… We love to read them!
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