New Delhi: Salvia hispanica, often known as Salba chia or Mexican chia, is a flowering plant that belongs to the mint family. Chia seeds are the edible seeds of this plant. The seeds are indigenous to Mexico and Guatemala and have a lengthy history. In prehistoric Mesoamerican and Aztec cultures, they were an essential crop. The seeds played a significant role in the peoples’ meals and had medicinal uses.
In several nations now, including Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Argentina, Australia, and the United States, chia is grown commercially. It is commonly acknowledged that the seeds are a nutrient-dense supplement to balanced diets.
Health Advantages:
Powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can all be found in abundance in chia seeds. These antioxidants include, among others.
- Espresso acid
- Acid chlorogenic
- Kaempferol
- Quercetin
These vitamins and minerals contribute to numerous important health advantages:
1. Decrease of free radicals:
Chia seeds include antioxidants that can aid in your body’s battle against free radicals. Cell damage and oxidative stress are results of free radicals. By consuming foods high in antioxidants, you may be able to lower your chance of acquiring a variety of conditions brought on by free radicals, such as heart disease, dementia, and some cancers.
2. Improved Heart Health:
Quercetin, an antioxidant found in chia seeds, can lower your chance of acquiring a number of illnesses, including heart disease. The seeds include a lot of fibre, which can lower high blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease.
3. Decreasing Blood Sugar Levels:
Fiber levels in chia seeds are high. Fiber may help to lower insulin resistance and improve blood sugar levels, which lowers your chance of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, according to studies. Additionally, studies have shown that chia seed bread causes a lower blood sugar response than conventional bread, reducing the risk of high blood sugar.
4. Reduced inflammation:
Heart disease and cancer are two illnesses that can be exacerbated by chronic inflammation. Chia seeds include the antioxidant caffeic acid, which can aid in the body’s battle against inflammation. Regular use of chia seeds may also aid in lowering inflammatory indicators, which frequently point to the presence of an inflammatory condition.
5. More wholesome weight management:
Chia seeds provide 39% of the daily recommended amount of fibre in a 1-ounce serving. When you eat the seeds, their soluble fibre absorbs water, causing them to expand in your stomach and giving you a greater sense of fullness. Chia seeds can assist you in maintaining a healthy weight by making you feel fuller even when you eat less.
