3 Benefits of Chia Seeds

1. They help to remove toxins from the gut…Chia seeds form a gelatinous consistency in water. Add a handful of chia seeds to a glass of water and you’ll notice that the water thickens to a gel-like substance. This same process occurs in the gut, which is important for binding excreted toxins and removing them from the colon during your next bowel movement. Try it during a cleanse and you’ll be able to remove more waste!

 2. They are rich in antioxidants…According to the study by Coelho, Michele Silveira, and Myriam de las Mercedes Salas-Mellado. “Chemical Characterization of CHIA (Salvia hispanica L.) for Use in Food Products.” Journal of Food and Nutrition Research 2.5 (2014): 263-269., chia seeds were chemically analyzed and shown to contain the phenolic compounds, cinnamic acid, caffein acid, and chlorogenic acid. These compounds were able to inhibit enzymatic catalyzed oxidation. Oxidation is the loss of electrons by an atom or molecule, which can become a free radical (a highly unstable atom or molecule with an unpaired electron in an atomic orbital).  These unstable atoms and molecules are thought to speed up the aging process through free radical damage in cells (Source: Pharmacogn Rev. 2010 Jul-Dec; 4(8): 118–126.). The naturally occurring antioxidants in chia seeds are able to protect us from free radical damage.

3. They have a high lipid/fat profile…About 60% of the lipid profile found in chia seeds according to the same study by Coelho, Michele Silveira, and Myriam de las Mercedes Salas-Mellado is from omega-3 fatty acids. This is important for cardiovascular health as it has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce circulating triglyceride count, and increase the breakdown of fibrin, a protein needed for clot and scar formation.