6 Reasons To Add Chia Seeds To Your Diet

6 Reasons To Add Chia Seeds To Your Diet

Just because chia seeds don’t have a bold flavor or flashy outward appearance, doesn’t mean that their nutrition profile is any less amazing.

According to the USDA, chia seeds are good sources of protein and fiber, and they are rich in calcium, Vitamin A, Iron, and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Each tablespoon of chia seeds is roughly 70 calories, but because these are low in carbohydrates, most of the energy that comes from a serving of chia seeds is quickly metabolized.

6 Reasons to add chia seeds to your diet
6 Reasons to add chia seeds to your diet

1. Keep your heart healthy

Those amazing Omega-3s support cardiovascular health. Chia seeds’ incredible combination of Omega-3s, trace minerals, and anti-inflammatory properties lower blood pressure and even prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

2. Meet your weight loss goals

While the jury is still out on whether chia seeds make your body better at burning fat, they can definitely help you in your weight loss journey.

When swallowed or allowed to soak, the seeds produce a gel-like substance that can make you feel full faster.

3. Detoxify your body

Since chia seeds support your digestive health, they help you get rid of toxins naturally. Their anti-inflammatory qualities enable them to prevent and repair the damage that takes place at a cellular level.

The result is less waste from your body and more effective elimination of waste that you do produce.

4. They’re a great source of antioxidants

These antioxidants not only make chia seeds extremely shelf-stable, but they also reduce free radicals. Free radicals cause cell damage, which can lead to everything from aging to cancer.

5. Enjoy those omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, prevent cancer, and support health overall, but they aren’t always easy to incorporate into your diet.

Flax seeds are a common source of omega-3 fatty acids, but your body can’t break flax seeds down on their own. On the other hand, you can fully digest chia seeds, which gives you access to all their inflammation-fighting powers.

6. Get stronger bones

Since a serving of chia seeds contains a whopping 18% of your daily recommended intake of Calcium, consuming them is bound to have a positive effect on bone health. To be clear, a serving of chia seeds contains more calcium than a serving of milk.

Trace minerals such as magnesium and boron, both of which can be found in chia seeds, make it easier for your body to absorb Vitamin D. Vitamin D, in turn, enables your body to make use of all that calcium.