7 Amazing Health Benefits of Chia Seeds
The saying the best things in the world come in small packages couldn't be any truer than chia seeds. Considered to be nature's gift to us, these seeds are packed with nutritious elements that have far-off and long-term implications in improving and rejuvenating your health.
Their prominence has recently been realized owing to their recognition by fitness experts and dieticians who have, in turn, promoted them heavily on social media, and for the right reasons.
But how exactly do they benefit you, who should take them, how do they fit in your healthy meal plan and how are you supposed to consume them? We discuss everything as we lay out the seven most amazing health benefits of chia seeds.
How does Chia Seeds Help Your Body?
Regular consumption of chia seeds can provide a wide range of benefits to your body, primary among them being the follows.
Potent Antioxidant Agent
Chia seeds are loaded with powerful antioxidant components such as caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin. The presence of antioxidants in chia seeds not only ensures it doesn't get stale by protecting the delicate fats of the seeds but also helps neutralize the reactive molecules known as free radicals in your body.
The free radicals are usually produced each time your body breaks down food or whenever it is exposed to radiation or tobacco smoke. These radicals can severely damage the compounds of your cells if not tended to at the proper time.
They can cause anything from premature aging to the development of cancer. Needless to say, everyone can use these tiny superfoods to supplement the need for antioxidants in their body.
Lowers the Risks of Heart Disease
Since chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, they are considered to be a friend of your heart as they help reduce the risks of heart disease. Chia seeds have a high content of soluble fiber in them which helps in decreasing the number of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), which is commonly known as bad cholesterol from your body that ultimately keeps heart diseases away.
The fact that they are so versatile both in functionality and in terms of their consumption makes them extremely easy to incorporate into whatever diet you are following.
In the simplest form, you can soak around 40 gm of chia seed in one liter of water for around 30 minutes and add in lemon for a zesty flavor before drinking it. Those who follow a keto diet to improve their heart health can attest to the fact that chia seeds are a great component of keeping their hearts functional.
Aids in Weight Loss
In the process of losing weight, many people resort to unhealthy ways of starving themselves. And who can blame them due to the peer pressure and unrealistic beauty and fitness standards that exist in the world? As long as you are feeling healthy, your body weight is fine.
However, if you want to lose weight, opt for healthy ways such as including chia seeds in your weight-loss diet plan. Ethical loss of weight is also among the many health benefits of chia seeds.
It has been seen that chia seeds can contribute to reducing visceral fat and also provide a feeling of satiety which helps in avoiding overeating. You can add them to your daily smoothies, salads, or cereals to gain their benefits if you don't have too much time to include them in elaborate recipes.
Reduces Blood Sugar Level
Having a controlled blood sugar level will always help you stay healthy and have a balanced life. This is a great food for diabetic patients since they are always at the risk of having a heightened blood pressure level and chia seeds can help them in stabilizing the levels of blood sugar after meals.
Starting the day with breakfast food in the form of oatmeal with unsweetened yogurt and chia seeds with the fruits of your choice can help regulate blood sugar levels and keep you on the right side of your health. This is undoubtedly one of the best foods you can provide your body with to improve overall cardiovascular health.
Strengthens Bones
Being rich in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, chia seeds can play an active role in strengthening your bones from within. Regular consumption of chia seeds has been noted to improve the condition of your bone mineral density.
This particular benefit should be music to the ears of aging people as their bones weaken with each year passing. The added fact that these seeds are so versatile, means you can include them in whatever diet you prefer, irrespective of your dietary lifestyle choices.
For instance, many people who follow a gluten and dairy-free diet look for healthy alternatives to strengthen their bones and most of the ingredients are not included in their preference. Being naturally gluten and dairy-free, they make for a great option for them to boost their bone health.
Helps Get Rid of Inflammation
As discussed earlier, the unstable molecules known as free radicals can cause rampant harm to your body, weakening it slowly and steadily in a myriad of ways without you realizing it. One such way it does this is by causing uncontrollable inflammation.
Thankfully, the ability of chia seeds to fight off inflammation and save your cells from further oxidative stress and damage is unparalleled. For all those skincare enthusiasts out there, these tiny superfoods can also be an anti-aging food that helps delay the process of aging from a cellular level.
Improves Gut health
Improving your gut health is among the many health benefits of chia seeds. Taking care of your gut is non-negotiable if you want to ensure your overall wellness as it can help in the systematic elimination of toxins from your body. This is why a wellness meal plan is incomplete without the inclusion of chia seeds.
Being rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, chia seeds are a boon for people who have chronic constipation. Besides, these seeds also function as prebiotics, helping clean the linings of your intestines. You can add chia seeds to your everyday jams, bake them in your bread and cookies, pour them in your gravies and soups, or even put them in your cup of tea or batch of tortillas.
Conclusion
Chia seeds are more than just a food item. They are the elixir you need to keep your body functional and healthy. Being suitable in almost every diet plan that you can imagine, they are extremely diverse in how you can consume them.
They are that one particular food that takes care of multiple aspects of your health but you need to practice patience and be regular in your consumption of them to gain their benefits.
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