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Chia Seeds The Super food With The Super

“Ch-ch-ch-chia!” Don’t fight the urge to sing the jingle,”Ch-ch-ch-chia!” (smile) Yes, chia pets are made from chia seeds, but PLEASE do not let that stop you from eating chia seeds. Just turn the chia pet away from you when you eat the chia seeds.

OK seriously, chia seeds are a wonderful super food.

Chia is an edible seed that comes from the plant salvia hispanica. It is a flowering plant in the mint family and is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds have a very mild flavor and do not alter the flavor of foods. Chia seeds can be added to cereals, oatmeal, salads or salad dressings, cookies, cake decorations, or smoothies. I add chia seeds to my vegetable juices because the nutrients they contain super-boost the nutrient level of my vegetable juices.

Chia seeds are associated with increased and sustained energy levels in the body.

Chia Seed's Fatty Acids

Chia seeds are very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for supporting good health. The body can't make the essential fatty acid omega-3 and it must be gotten from the foods we eat. The brain is made up of sixty percent omega-3 fats, and the majority of that fat is an omega-3 called DHA. The omega-3 fatty acid in chia seeds is α-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body converts into DHA. Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids play a role in protecting the brain, and may protect against age associated memory loss. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are an anti-inflammatory and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.

Chia seeds also contain omega-6 fatty acids which are also an essential fatty acid that the body does not produce. Many omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory, but research has shown a synergistic effect of the proper proportions of omega-6 to omega-3. Proportions of 2-3 to 1 of omega-6 to omega-3 support brain functioning, bone health, metabolism, and hair and skin growth. Chia seeds also contain omega-9 fatty acids, which are not considered essential fatty acids because the body can produce them from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Chia Seed's Antioxidants

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and slow the aging process. Chia seeds are an antioxidant powerhouse surpassing blueberry's antioxidant prowess. An indication of a foods antioxidant level is its ability to resist spoiling for longer periods of time. Chia seeds owe their antioxidant prowess to their caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, kaemferol, myrecetin, and quercetin.

I have read information that states that Chia seeds have twice the amount of iron of spinach. I have not been able to verify this from the information for the chia seeds I have bought. The chia seeds I have been eating don’t list iron as one of its nutrients. I do need to check some other products.

References:
Omega-3 fatty acids
Chia seeds nutrition facts