Despite the small size, the benefits chia seeds for the health of the body is so great. Among organic food lovers, these grains are routinely consumed as a mixture of various types of food. What are the benefits of chia seeds?
Chia seeds come from plants Salvia hispanica, a type of mint plant. This plant is widely grown in Mexico and South America. However, the product chia seeds Packaging is now widely found in Indonesia and has become one of the favorite organic foods for many people.
Nutritional Content Chia Seed
Chia seeds contains a variety of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and omega-3 and omega-6. In addition, these seeds also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, potassium, iron, and magnesium.
Chia seeds It also contains a number of antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol.
Various Benefits Chia Seed
Thanks to its abundant nutritional content, chia seeds believed to have several health benefits, namely:
1. Lose weight
High fiber content in chia seeds It is known to have a fuller effect for longer, so it is good for those of you who are on a diet to lose weight. In addition, the protein content in seeds chia It is also believed to suppress appetite.
This benefit is also supported by a study involving several obese people. The results of the study revealed that obese patients who consumed chia seeds for 6 months, seems to have lost weight even though it is small.
However, consuming chia seeds alone is not enough to get the weight you want. You also need to accompany it with a healthy lifestyle, such as controlling calorie intake, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest time.
2. Keeping bone health
The content of protein and various minerals in chia seeds, such as calcium, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus are good for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis. On the other hand, chia seeds can also be a good source of calcium for those of you who live a vegetarian diet.
3. Maintain heart health
Chia seeds It contains protein, fiber, antioxidants, and good fats which are known to be good for heart health.
A study also showed that consumption of chia seeds can protect the heart from hardening of the arteries and heart disease. However, this effect is not solely from consuming chia seeds, but also by living a healthy lifestyle.
4. Maintain blood sugar levels
A number of studies reveal that chia seeds can prevent spikes in blood sugar levels in the body, so it can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and is certainly good for consumption by diabetics.
These benefits are thought to come from the various ingredients in chia seeds which can keep blood sugar stable.
5. Relieves symptoms of diverticulitis
The high fiber content makes the seeds chia believed to be able to overcome and relieve the symptoms of diverticulitis. Not only that, eating high-fiber foods can also facilitate bowel movements and prevent constipation.
On the other hand, chia seeds It is also believed to be good for lowering bad cholesterol in the body (LDL). In fact, the omega-3 content in it can also reduce the risk of stroke.
The Right Way to Process and Consume Chia Seed
In order to benefit chia seeds to the maximum, you need to process it properly and consume it with care. This is because chia seeds which is consumed dry can cause a blockage in the esophagus, because it is easy to absorb water around it.
Taste of chia seeds itself tends to be bland. To eat it, you need to soak it in liquid or water for a few minutes until it has a gel texture.
You can also mix it into food or drinks, such as fruit ice, salads, oatmeal, juice, smoothies, yogurt, cakes and puddings.
Various nutrients and benefits chia seeds it can make a lot of people fall in love. Although it still needs more research on the benefits chia seeds for health, there is nothing wrong if you start entering chia seeds into your daily diet.
However, people with prostate cancer or at high risk of prostate cancer, should limit their consumption chia seeds. This is because the seeds chia contains compounds alpha linolenic which may increase the risk of this disease.
Therefore, if you suffer from certain medical conditions, it is advisable to consult a doctor first before consuming it chia seeds to ensure its safety.