Benefits of chia seeds
Chia seeds offer many potential benefits to the human body, including:
1. Promotes heart health
One of the benefits of chia seeds is that they promote heart health, as they contain a number of antioxidants such as quercetin, which reduces the risk of many heart diseases. Chia seeds are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of heart attacks.
2. Regulates blood cholesterol
Chia seeds regulate blood cholesterol levels, as they raise levels of good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) and lower levels of bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein).
3. Helps in weight loss
Chia seeds contain a high percentage of soluble fiber, which absorbs water to form a gel-like substance that expands in the stomach, which may slow down the digestion process and promote a feeling of fullness for a longer period. The amount of protein in chia seeds also reduces the desire to eat, which leads to weight loss.
4. Increases skin freshness
One of the benefits of chia seeds is that they increase the freshness of the skin, as they contain antioxidants that fight free radicals, which prevents the results of oxidative stress from appearing on the skin and enhances the process of repairing skin tissues and protecting them from damage.
5. Regulates blood sugar levels
Chia seeds regulate blood sugar levels by avoiding significant spikes and drops in blood sugar levels. They also fight both diabetes and insulin resistance, as they contain a large amount of fiber and linolenic acid.
6. Promotes bone health
Chia seeds enhance bone health, as they contain many compounds important in bone composition, such as: magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, as these compounds work to maintain bone density.
7. It is a source of many nutrients.
Chia seeds are rich in many beneficial nutrients that the body needs, such as: omega-3 acids, carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, as well as calcium and antioxidants.
8. Other benefits
There are some other benefits of chia seeds, such as:
Regulates blood pressure.
Reduces levels of inflammatory markers in the blood.
Increases energy levels in the body.
Promotes oral health.
It fights the growth of some cancer cells.
How to consume chia seeds
There are many ways to enjoy eating chia seeds, including:
Eat the seeds raw as is.
Soak the seeds and drink them with natural juices.
Add chia seeds to your oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, or salad.
Add seeds to various baked goods, such as cakes.