10 Incredible Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Who needs flaxseeds when you have chia seeds? The health benefits of chia seeds far outweigh perceived health benefits of any superfood on the market today. Unlike flax, chia seeds are actually absorbed by the body (if you ever eat a whole flax seed, your body can’t do anything with it, and it is highly probable that you will see it in your poop, too!).

Being one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, chia seeds should, without a doubt, be apart of your daily eating routine. You can stick them in salads, make puddings (they gelatinize once they touch water), put them in smoothies, or use them in replacement for eggs. Did I mention that they are gluten-free, too?

10 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Here are 10 incredible health benefits of chia seeds, and why you should probably start eating them more often!

1. Loaded With Omegas

Ditch the fish! Chia seeds contain 8x MORE omegas than salmon! Chia seeds are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, which are incredibly important for brain health. It is important to remember, though, that the Omega-3’s in chia seeds are mostly ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid), which when not balanced properly with EPA and DHA can create problems if you are not also including healthy sources of these two acids (which are easily found in blue-green algae like E3 Live).

2. Excellent Source of Fibre

Only 2 tbsp. of chia seeds contains 10 grams of fibre! Adding some chia seeds to your diet will help push out excess toxic waste matter from the digestive tract, and will help prevent colon cancer.

3. Calcium Packed

Did you know that chia seeds contain 5x MORE calcium than milk? Eating chia seeds every day can help maintain your bone and oral health, preventing osteoporosis and other bone-related disorders. This makes chia seeds a great alternative for people who don’t eat dairy!

4. High In Vitamin C

In fact, chia seeds contain 7x more vitamin C than oranges! As we all know, vitamin C is important for building a healthy immune system, and is also needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body.

5. Great Source of Amino Acids

Amino acids are the protein building blocks of creating strong, healthy muscles! Just 2 tbsp. of chia seeds contain over 4 grams of protein (nearly 10% of your daily value!).

6. Loaded With Antioxidants

Because chia seeds contain delicate fats, they require A LOT of antioxidants to prevent them from degrading and going rancid (kind of like a protection mechanism). Antioxidants help fight off free radicals in the body, which normally damage cells and contribute to aging and diseases like cancer.

7. Lower The Risk of Heart Disease & Type 2 Diabetes

Chia seeds help to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and reducing inflammation. A study conducted by Cleveland Clinic showed that chia seeds help improve blood pressure in diabetics (which isn’t surprising given the high fibre content of chia seeds which help reduce blood sugar spikes after meals).

8. Improve Exercise Performance (as much as sports drinks!)

According to ancient studies, the Aztecs and Mayans used chia seeds to help fuel their performance throughout the day. The ALA content of chia seeds is also incredibly useful in post-exercise recovery in athletes or individuals who exercise daily.

9. High In Bone-Supporting Manganese & Phosphorous

Not only are chia seeds high in calcium, but they are also loaded with manganese and phosphorous, two crucial minerals involved in bone health. Individuals with low manganese levels also often suffer from poor bone formation. Phosphorous also helps the body synthesize protein for cell and tissue growth and repair.

10. Fight Belly Fat

Due to the high fibre content in chia seeds, they have a stabilizing effect on blood sugar, which consequently fights insulin resistance (a main factor that contributes to belly fat). Chia seeds also help us get full, faster, due to their high tryptophan content, also helping to regulate appetite, sleep and improve our mood!