Chia Benefits

Up to now the Chia plant has been known only as the seed used in the “Chia Pet” novelty figurines to grow the “hair” or “fur.”  But chia has a very long and distinguished history as a primary staple food crop used by the Indians of Mexico, the American Southwest, and Central America because of its outstanding nutrient content.

Botanically, the Chia plant is a member of the mint family and is native to an area from South and Central America as far North as the Mojave Desert in the American Southwest.

In the last few years Chia seed is very quickly becoming recognized as a preferred source of both omega-3 and omega-6 cholesterol lowering fatty acids, as the other available sources such as flax seed and oil, or fish oil capsules.

In fact, Chia has the highest concentration of omega-3, and in the right ratio to omega-6 (3:1), than any other botanical source and is also heart healthy as the seed is very high in dietary fiber and antioxidants.

Other Chia benefits include:

• Calcium:

Chia seed offers over 600 mg of calcium per 100 grams of seed which is about five times the amount found in whole milk.

• Very low Sodium:

Chia seed contains only about 19 mg of sodium per 100 grams of seed.

• Chia is hydrophilic:

This means that Chia seed will absorb many times its own weight in water. This property prolongs hydration which helps the body regulate its absorbing of nutrients more efficiently. A side benefit is that this water absorption ability will leave you feeling “full” much longer.

• Antioxidants:

Chia is a natural source of antioxidants which have been shown to promote overall good health and may also aid in preventing heart disease and some cancers.

Another of the Chia benefits is that, because of its high content of dietary fiber, it works very well as part of a natural detox program. Chia can be found both in health stores and online but the quality varies greatly.

Chia has been certified as an organic raw food by the FDA and is the best of the cholesterol lowering foods.

In addition to all the benefits listed above, chia is also rich in minerals including Potassium, Iron, and Selenium, all required for good health.