Chia Seeds Nutrition
Chia seeds nutrition is a long list and is considered one of the best super foods that you can start incorporating into your diet due to its many health benefits.
Chia seeds have become very popular in recent years because they offer balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, high-quality protein, antioxidants, and many other nutrients.
Incorporating chia seeds into the daily diet has shown to enhance the nutrient absorption of all foods, including nutritional supplements.
Chia Seeds Nutrition – Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Chia seeds have the highest known whole-food source levels of Omega-3 acids, as measured by percent of weight.
Chia seeds contain more than 60% Omega-3 fatty acids and have the highest percentage of Omega-3 of any commercially available source, according to Dr. Wayne Coats, perhaps the world’s foremost educator on chia seeds.
Chia seeds nutrition also provide iron, magnesium, potassium (equivalent to 3-4 bananas worth), Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, phosphorus, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, zinc, naturally boost energy and are gluten-free.
Amino Acids and Protein
Since essential amino acids are not produced by the body, it’s important to get amino acids from nutrient-rich sources like chia seeds. The amino acid leucine is abundant in chia seeds. Research suggests leucine may help regulate blood sugar levels and aid in muscle recovery after exercise.
High Quality Protein Chia seeds contain about 20% protein, a higher percentage than found in many other grains such as wheat and rice. Chia has 19-23% protein content, compared to wheat (13.7%), rice (6.5%), corn (9.4%), barley (12.5%) and oats (16.9%).
And since chia seeds contain such high quality proteins it helps develop lean muscle mass. In essence chia seeds nutrition become a complete raw food that can be used as a meal replacement or added to our diet for its nutritional value.
Excellent Source of Fiber
Chia seeds also provide fiber (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fiber) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc.
Studies show that eating chia seed slows down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrate calories into simple sugars.
The fiber rich chia seeds and slowly metabolized carbs in turn curbs the appetite and has been shown to help lose weight when included with a balanced and healthy diet.
Chia seeds nutrition are also an excellent source of antioxidants containing even more antioxidants than fresh blueberries. Antioxidants fight free radical damage, strengthen the immune system, and help to keep you energetic in both body and mind.
Chia Seeds Nutrition – Scientific Studies Show
An experiment carried out under the direction of faculty from the University of Arizona showed that rats fed chia seed and chia oil reduced their triacylglycerol levels and improved their LDL HDL ratios significantly, compared with a control group.
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in January 2009 reported that consuming chia seeds reduced visceral fat in rats and helped moderate their cholesterol levels and insulin resistance, even when they were fed a diet rich in sugar.
The more we research and understand about chia seeds nutrition, the more we realize how important this food source is to leading a healthy life.
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