Chia Seeds: The Next Big Thing?

Well, Chia Seeds are making a come back and it has nothing to do with a terracotta pig that sprouts green hair! Today, Chia Seeds are being rediscovered and embraced as a "super food." Health nuts are buying them in bulk and they are quickly becoming popular among nutritionists and herbalists alike. But the question is: are Chia Seeds all they are cracked up to be?

Well, nobody knows for sure if Chia Seeds are the cure all people are reporting, but what I know for sure is that they certainly are one nutrient- packed little seed. Chia Seeds are highly nutritious, medicinal, and have been used for centuries for its beneficial properties. Did you know that Chia Seeds are 16 percent protein, 31 percent fat, and 44 percent carbohydrate of which 38 percent is fiber? And that, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 20 (2007), most of its fat is the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid or ALA? That's some powerful stuff.

And there is more. Chia Seeds have twice the protein of any other seed or grain, five times the calcium of milk, two times the amount of potassium in bananas, three times the antioxidant strength of blueberries and three times more iron than spinach. They also have boron, which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones, omega 3 and omega 6 which are essential oils for the body. Wow, all that in one little seed, who knew?

"If you mix a spoonful of Chia Seeds in a glass of water and leave it for approximately 30 minutes or so, when you return the glass will appear to contain not seeds or water, but an almost solid gelatin. This gel-forming reaction is due to the soluble fiber in the Chia."

The soluble fiber in the gel forms a wall between carbohydrates and the body, releasing them slowly into the body, thus slowing down the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar. Chia Seeds are an exceptional food for Diabetics as it helps stabilize blood sugar and regulate the body's absorption of fluids, i.e. electrolyte balance, more efficiently.

Dieters love the Chia Seeds because they can be added to any food or drink in a ratio of 75% to the volume of food or drink and will not change the taste. And, because the carbohydrates are released slowly, you will get the feeling of being full. Many use the seeds as a way to control their appetites.

"In addition to the obvious benefits for diabetics, this slowing in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar offers the ability for creating endurance. Carbohydrates are the fuel for energy in our bodies. Prolonging their conversion into sugar stabilizes metabolic changes, diminishing the surges of highs and lows creating a longer duration in their fueling effects."

"As a source of protein, the Chia, after ingestion, is digested and absorbed very easily. This results in rapid transport to the tissue and utilization by the cells. This efficient assimilation makes the Chia very effective when rapid development of tissue takes place, primarily during growth periods if children and adolescents. Also for the growth and regeneration of tissue during pregnancy and lactation, and this would also include regeneration of muscle tissue for conditioning, athletes, weight lifters, etc."

Chia Seeds are also excellent as a digestive aid. Consuming 2-3 tablespoons of Chia gel with each meal will provide for better assimilation of food, increase your nutrient absorption and encourage better elimination. It will also prevent indigestion and heartburn.

"Touted as being the new "superfood", Chia Seeds are high in easily digestible protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, soluble fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and are a digestive, disinfectant, febrifuge and ophthalmic. They are currently being used for their nutritional and medicinal properties, to provide endurance for athletes, for suppressing the appetite, weight loss, for leveling blood sugar, and for aiding intestinal regularity. The list of nutritional benefits of Chia Seeds goes on and on. One thing is clear adding Chia Seeds to your diet is a great way to supplement a healthy diet and healthy living plan."

If you enjoyed this article, Chia Seeds you may also like to read about my personal experience with Chia Seeds or my experience with Oil Pulling

If you are looking for organic chia seed you may want to check out:

You can also get "chemical free" chia seeds, Chia Seeds 5 Pounds (Chemical Free)