7 Surprising Benefits of Chia Seeds

Reader Contribution by Chelsea Clark and Natural Health Advisory Institute
Published on April 1, 2015

Chia seeds are one of the more popular recent super food trends. But are they all they have been cracked up to be? While some proclaimed benefits of chia seeds may be a bit exaggerated, these seeds are packed full of vital nutrients like fiber and omega-3 fatty acids and should not be overlooked as a healthy addition to your diet.

What Is Chia?

Chia seeds come from a flowering plant from the mint family, Salvia hispanica L. They can come in white, black, or dark brown varieties. The word chia is derived from a word that means oily, as chia seeds are rich in fatty acids. They can be eaten whole or milled into a ground powder. To take advantage of the many benefits of chia seeds, simply add the seeds or powder to almost any meal.

Use chia to boost your intake of these vital nutrients

Fiber. Chia is one of the richest known sources of dietary fiber. One serving of chia seeds (about 28 g) contains 9 g of dietary fiber. The recommended fiber intake is 28 to 36 g per day, but most people eat much less, about 15 g. In just one serving of chia seeds, you can get at least one quarter of your daily value. Fiber helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, promote healthy digestion, and prevent disease (including heart disease, cancer, and stroke).[1] It can also help to detoxify, as it binds to toxins and helps move them through the digestive system. Read more about the importance of fiber here.

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