|
Chia seeds come from the Chia tree which is a member of the mint tree family. This tree species is found in desert areas, such as certain regions in Argentina. In recent years the tree became of great economic importance to the Native Americans, especially those from the Southwest Coast and also the Californian Coast. There are many health benefits of Chia seeds. In fact the Chia is also widely considered by historians as the foremost food crop of the Aztecs.
Commonly, the Chia seeds are roasted and are mixed with water and eaten or it can be mixed into flour and turned into some amazing dishes. One of the health benefits of Chia seeds is that they are good for the heart since according to studies, they possess (raw and cooked) a high percentage of omega 3 fatty acids. The protein content of the seed, compared to that of other nutritional grains is higher. In fact the Chia seed is considered as a complete protein food, since it contains all the essential amino acids.
Another of the many health benefits of Chia seeds is that they are good for your bones since they contain boron, which is a mineral vital for human bone health. In addition, compared to bananas, the seed is richer in potassium and in calcium. In fact, 2 ounces of the seed contains 600mg of calcium. Another of the many health benefits of Chia seeds is that they are able to slow down the process of converting carbohydrate calories into simple sugars. This fact is extremely beneficial to people who are suffering from diabetes. The seeds also help in losing weight. They can block calories because they are considered to be hydrophilic. What this means is that when the seed is digested, it becomes gel-like in form. Thus people who are consuming Chia seeds can easily feel full which will prevent them from eating more than what is necessary.
Aside from being healthy, Chia seeds are also considered as flavorful condiments. These seeds in fact are used in preparing many types of dishes. Due to their versatility, you can easily create Chia seeds recipes. They can be baked, turned into a soup, made into sandwiches, whipped into sauces, blended into smoothies. In addition they can also be used as a substitute for any recipe or dish that requires the use of sesame seeds. It can also be eaten raw, hydrated or cooked. To fully realize the health benefits of Chia seeds, people are advised to only use a quarter serving of these seeds.
|
Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about seeds and gardening information at GreenThumbArticles.com!
Didn't really find what you were looking for?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
![[Valid RSS feed]](images/rss.gif "Subscribe to our XML Feed for RSS")
(Read 500+ times)
