Another product on the list of superfoods, i.e. very healthy food, are chia seeds, derived from Spanish sage. This plant belongs to the same family as lemon balm and mint. Its seeds contain a whole lot of nutrients that have a positive effect on the functioning of the body and brain. The properties of chia seeds have been confirmed by numerous scientific studies.
Spanish sage grows naturally in South America. No wonder the Aztecs and Mayans appreciated its abilities, and its seeds were an important food in their diet. The word chia from the ancient Mayan language means strength. This is due to the fact that these seeds are valued for their ability to provide the body with sustainable energy.
In recent years, the popularity of chia seeds has increased, thanks to which people practicing a healthy lifestyle around the world consume them. The most important thing is that consuming them, even in small amounts, gives the body a huge dose of nutritional value.
One serving of chia seeds (28 grams) contains:
- 4 grams of protein,
- 9 grams of fat, of which 5 are omega-3s
- 11 grams of fiber,
- 30% of the recommended daily intake of manganese,
- 30% Magnesium DDS,
- 18% Calcium DDS,
- 27% zds to phosphorus.
In addition, they have a lot of zinc, potassium, vitamins B1 and B2, vitamin B3. As you can see, chia seeds are a real wealth of micronutrients, fiber, omega-3 acids and protein.
The use of chia seeds
They are characterized by a high content of antioxidants that inhibit the production of free radicals, i.e. prevent the formation of cancer and slow down the aging process of the body. Thanks to the presence of fiber, they will be an excellent support in slimming diets. Fiber becomes a gel-like substance in the stomach and expands in the stomach, causing a feeling of fullness. In this way, the amount of food consumed is reduced, absorption slows down and the number of calories consumed decreases. In addition, the fiber in chia seeds supports the maintenance of friendly bacterial flora in the intestines.
The protein contained in the seeds also promotes weight loss. A high intake of this nutrient reduces appetite and also eliminates obsessive thinking about eating a snack, so it will be an ideal solution for people struggling with addiction to sweets or night snacking. In addition, chia seeds contain more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon. Their regular consumption will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, they also lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body, but only when maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.