Friday, February 7, 2014

Benefits of Chia Seeds: Five Reasons to Incorporate them Into Your Diet

Chia seeds are a super food that can provide many benefits to those who consume them on a regular basis. In fact, the peoples of South America (where chia seeds originate) have known the benefits of consuming chia seeds for hundreds of years, and they were even a staple in Mayan and Aztec diets. Today, they draw the attention of many health food junkies due to the benefits they can provide, as well as the various ways in which they can be used in cooking. While there are numerous benefits of consuming chia seeds, here are the top five reasons to eat them.

  1. Great Source of Fiber: Consuming the proper amount of fiber is vital to one’s health, as fiber is associated with lowering cholesterol and regulating bowel function. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, containing 10 grams in only 2 tablespoons, which is about one-third of the recommended daily fiber intake. Eating chia is thusly an easy way to incorporate more fiber into your diet.
  2. Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Chia seeds are rich in unsaturated fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, chia seeds are one of the richest plant based sources of omega-3s. Why is consuming omega-3 fatty acids important? Consuming these unsaturated fats can help to reduce cholesterol and can even help to enhance cognitive function.
  3. Chia Seeds are Filling: Eating chia seeds helps one to feel full and satisfied after a meal. This helps to cut down on cravings and snacking in between meals. This can help with weight management, and can help to improve one’s overall health as it helps to prevent overindulging in unnecessary food.
  4. They are Full of Minerals and Nutrients: Two tablespoons of chia seeds contains roughly 18 percent of the daily recommended intake of calcium, 24 percent for magnesium, and roughly fifty percent of the daily recommended intake of manganese. These nutrients can help to prevent high blood pressure (hypertension), and can help you to maintain a healthy weight by improving your metabolism.
  5. Chia Seeds Help with Blood Sugar Regulation: Chia seeds can help those with diabetes by helping to regulate the insulin levels in their body. They do this by helping to decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood.

Chia seeds truly are a super food that can provide many benefits to those who incorporate them into their diet. Contact us to find out about more of the amazing benefits of consuming chia seeds, as well as to find out ways you can incorporate them into your diet.

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