10 Proven Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. They are loaded with lots of important nutrients that your brain and body require for optimum functions.

These seeds are highly nutritious and they are featured as star ingredients used in making many nutritious foods, protein bars, smoothies, and even baked foods.

When used to make meals, they improve the taste and texture of your foods and they also improve the nutrient quality of your food. They have a huge list of impressive health benefits and we will be looking at some of them in this post.

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They are very easy to digest and studies have recently shown that the health benefits of this superfood are far greater than what we know presently.

History tells us that Aztec warriors consumed chia seeds for strength and endurance and it was a popular believe back then that a spoonful of chia seeds can sustain one for a whole day.

“Chia” means strength in the Mayan language and they are considered as one of the few superfoods given by Mother Nature to mankind. Chia seeds are also good for your pets.

Below are 10 wonderful health benefits of chia seeds.

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10 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

1. Rich Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Chia seeds are very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, the fatty acids in chia seeds are more than that in salmon although the type of omega-3 found in chia seeds is the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is not as beneficial as that found in the animal source.

ALA is converted into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) so that our body can effectively use it.

Unfortunately, our bodies cannot efficiently convert ALA into these active compounds and this is one of the reasons why omega-3 from plants is inferior to that from animal sources.

Milled chia seeds can increase the levels of ALA and EPA in your body but not DHA. You can still benefit from ALA and EPA if you increase your intake of chia seeds.

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2. Fight Cancer

ALA present in chia seeds prevents the development and spread of cancer in the body. They induce the death of cancer cells without harming the healthy cells of your body.

Chia seeds help women most especially to overcome cancers of the breast and cervix.

3. Strengthen your Bones

Chia seeds contain several nutrients that are important for your bones, nutrients such as phosphorous, protein, calcium, and magnesium.

This is a good source of calcium for people who don’t take dairy and for those who have lactose intolerance. An inclusion of chia seeds in your diet will strengthen your bones and keep bone problems at bay.

Chia seeds prevent osteoporosis and it contains manganese which is involved in bone metabolism. A deficiency in manganese causes impaired bone resorption and decreases the formation of bone.

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4. Fight Insomnia

Chia seeds are high in tryptophan, this amino acid helps the formation of melatonin and serotonin, and these hormones are responsible for quality sleep.

Tryptophan is a good sleep aid, it induces sleep by relaxing your body and relieving stress. It is also used in treating various sleep disorders.

5. Promote Healthy Skin

Chia seeds are dense in antioxidants, these make them highly beneficial for your skin. They fight the damages free radicals do to your skin and they prevent oxidative stress.

They also help promote tissue repair and they protect your skin from damages caused by harmful radiation and dangerous UV rays. Chia seeds fight premature aging and improve the general health of your skin.

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6. Treat Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis is a medical condition characterized by the presence of tube-like structures in the intestines and it has no sign of inflammation.

Chia seeds treat this condition by supplying your body with fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, these nutrients help treat this condition. The fiber in chia seeds help the absorption of water into the colon and also help to smoothen the movement of bowels.

7. Increase Energy and Physical Performance

Athletes benefit highly from chia seeds by increasing energy and performances. They help maximize the storage of glycogen in the muscles and liver and they promote endurance and increased physical performance.

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They are as effective as sports and energy drinks and they have no side effects that all those added sugar and preservatives cause. The proteins in chia seeds also help promote muscle buildup and repair.

They also provide your body with sufficient energy and help your muscle recover quickly from strenuous exercise.

8. Enhance Mood

Chia seeds enhance mood, they help treat mood swings and moodiness when consumed regularly. They also help to improve behavior.

Chia seeds are used to combat depression, anxiety, and other neurological problems because of their rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.

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9. Boost Oral Health

Chia seeds promote oral health and fight the activities of microbes in the mouth, this is because they are rich in oral-friendly nutrients like zinc, vitamin A, calcium, and phosphorous.

Calcium helps the growth and development of your teeth, zinc prevents plaque buildup on your teeth and it also kills bacteria that cause bad breath.

Phosphorous and vitamin A boost strong teeth and promote a healthy mouth.

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10. Aid Weight Loss

Chia seeds promote weight loss because they are rich in soluble fiber that helps large amounts of water and induces a feeling of fullness thereby slowing down the absorption of food and controlling appetite and food intake.

Proteins in chia seeds help reduce food intake and appetite.