Chia

Chia seeds

Other Names: Chía, Chia Fresca, Chia Grain, Chia Oil, Chia Seed, Chia Sprout, Germe de Chia, Graine de Chia, Graine de Salba, Huile de Chia, Pinole, S. Hispanica, Salba, Salba Grain, Salvia hispanica, Salvia Hispanica L.
Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family that grows abundantly in southern Mexico. You may have seen chia sprouts growing on the novelty planters called Chia Pets, but historically, the seeds have been the most important part of the plant.

Special Precautions of Chia

• Chia seems to be safe when taken for up to 12 weeks. Not enough is known about the safety of using it for a longer period of time.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of chia during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
• High triglycerides: Blood contains several types of fat, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Triglyceride levels are too high in some people. Eating some types of chia can make them even higher. If you have high triglycerides, stick with using a specific variety of chia called Salba. Salba does not significantly increase triglyceride levels.
• Prostate cancer: Chia contains a lot of alpha-linolenic acid. Some research suggests that large amounts of alpha-linolenic acid in the diet might increase the chance of getting prostatecancer. If you have prostate cancer or have a high risk of getting it, avoid eating large amounts of chia.
• There is some concern that consumption of chia may increase the effects of anti-diabetic medications and blood pressure medications.
• In addition, chia may reduce blood sugar levels and trigger changes in bleeding and clotting times.
• Due to safety concerns, it's important to talk to your doctor before using chia as a dietary supplement (especially if you are currently taking medications for diabetes or high blood pressure).

The benefits of Chia are

In pre-Columbian times they were a main component of the Aztec and Mayan diets and were the basic survival ration of Aztec warriors. Chia is a plant whose seeds are widely marketed as a natural remedy for certain health conditions. For instance, many proponents claim that chia seeds can promote weight loss, keep blood sugar in check, protect against diabetes and heart disease, increase energy, improve athletic performance, enhance mood and preserve bone health. Long consumed as food, chia seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (a type of omega-3 fatty acid). In addition, chia seeds offer a number of essential minerals (including calcium, potassium and magnesium).

• Super food : Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seeds. And it has another advantage over flax: chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don't deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid. And, unlike flax, they do not have to be ground to make their nutrients available to the body. Chia seeds also provide fiber (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fiber) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc.
• Diabetes : Published in Diabetes Care in 2007, a study involving 20 people with type 2 diabetes found that 12 weeks of treatment with chia helped reduce systolic blood pressure and inflammation. However, chia failed to produce changes in body weight.
• Cholesterol : Chia may help lower cholesterol levels, according to an animal-based study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2009. In tests on rats given a diet high in sugar, researchers found that adding chia seed to the diet helped prevent the onset of high cholesterol and insulin resistance. In addition, chia seed appeared to reduce abdominal fat.Since this research was conducted on animals, it's too early to tell whether chia may have the same benefits for humans.
• Immunity : High in antioxidants chia seeds strengthen the immune system.
• Weight Loss : There is currently a lack of research supporting the claim that chia can promote weight loss. In fact, the existing research indicates that chia may have no effect on body weight. For a 2009 study in Nutrition Research, researchers assigned 90 overweight or obese adults to 12 weeks of treatment with chia seed or a placebo. Looking at study results, the researchers found no differences in body mass, inflammation or blood pressure between the two treatment groups.
• Digestive and Energy Benefits of Chia: Chia seeds have a unique fiber coating that allows them to absorb 12 times their weight in water. After soaking in water or in your digestive system for 30 minutes, chia forms a highly viscous gel with superior digestive benefits, far greater than other fibers. Once inside your body, the gel can: Create and prolong hydration, Prolong the release of carbohydrates, Slow the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar
• The gel gives your body energy—an even, steady form of energy that's exactly what you need for everything from athletic endurance to mental alertness.
• Heart Health
• Increased Energy
• Relief From Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Wellbeing
• Anti-aging
• Healthy Blood Pressure
• Gastrointestinal Health
• Bone Health
• Mental Health
• Prenatal Health
• Breast Health
• Prostate Health
• In addition to protein, fiber, and an extensive list of vitamins and minerals, chia seeds contain 3 powerful antioxidants: quercetin, myristicin, and kaempferol. These naturally occurring antioxidants help stabilize tissues that otherwise would be affected by allergies.
  
• Chia seeds have a unique fiber coating that allows them to absorb 12 times their weight in water. After soaking in water or in your digestive system for 30 minutes, chia forms a highly viscous gel with superior digestive benefits, far greater than other fibers. Once inside your body, the gel can:
  • Create and prolong hydration
  • Prolong the release of carbohydrates
  • Slow the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar