Chia seeds: what are they and what are the benefits

The chia plant first found its use in the cooking of the ancient Aztecs. They used this plant in their religious cults and used it to gain strength. Today, chia seeds are used by nutritionists as well as people seeking become slimmer.

The benefits of chia seeds

Nutritionist Pierre Dukan was the first to recommend these seeds as a dietary supplement to reduce body fat. Now in America, this product has become so popular that it is added to many flour products and even protein bars.

The usefulness of chia seeds is largely due to their composition. They include substances that are similar in properties to antibiotics. But unlike its medical counterpart, chia does not have a detrimental effect on human health. On the contrary, these seeds destroy harmful microflora in the intestines and stimulate healing processes. The product is especially useful to use during the period of seasonal exacerbations of colds, as it activates the immune defense well. It has been noticed that regular consumption of chia seeds leads to a decrease in the likelihood of getting sick even during a flu epidemic.

With the regular consumption of chia seeds, a person heals his intestines, harmful bacteria will be destroyed, as a result of which the risk of intestinal infections is reduced. In addition, chia seeds are useful as a cholesterol suppressant. As a result, you protect yourself from atherosclerosis. Chia seeds contain many antioxidants, which makes them indispensable in the fight against allergic manifestations and strengthening the body. Vegetarians use chia seeds as a source of beneficial omega-3 and omega-6.

Therefore, using chia seeds is a must if you want to improve your well-being, have slim figure and good health. It is only necessary to use this product correctly.

Chia seeds harm

Before using chia seeds for food, you need to familiarize yourself with their harmful properties. After all, as you know, no product can be useful for everyone. For example, you may have a banal intolerance to chia seeds, or you may have been consuming them for too long and incorrectly.

This product contains a high content of dietary fiber. Consequently, the use of this product may cause flatulence in some people. In addition, some individuals may experience diarrhea due to the use of chia seeds. Do not use this product while taking aspirin and blood thinners, or at low blood pressure, as this product can lower blood pressure even more.

Chia seeds contraindications

Based on the harmful properties of chia seeds formulated above, contraindications to their use can be indicated. I am glad that the list of such conditions is rather short:

• Do not use chia seeds if you are hypersensitive to this product. It can develop due to too long or improper use.
• With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, since chia seeds contain a lot fiber.
• For acute or chronic diarrhea, as this product has a laxative effect.
• A tendency to severe flatulence and bloating.
• Children under 7 years of age.
• Pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding. Studies on the effect of chia seeds on the body of pregnant and lactating women have not been conducted, so this category of women does not need to use them.

Where to Buy Chia Seeds

Now chia seeds are already quite widespread in our country. Therefore, the question of purchasing this product does not become a problem. Chia seeds can be purchased at drugstores. If this is not possible, then at your service there are many online stores selling products for weight loss and proper nutrition. There you can buy these seeds without any problems. At the same time, delivery of your order to a pre-specified address will not take much time.

However, before purchasing chia seeds, you need to pay attention to which country the product was produced in. For example, it is better not to buy Chinese-made chia seeds, since in this country the issues of ecology and product purity are not up to par.

Be sure to inquire about quality certifications for chia seeds. A good product, in addition to a quality certificate, will also have an organic control certificate. Pay attention to the price. The average cost of a package of 250 g of seeds costs about 8 dollars or euros, depending on the country. Focus on this price. Too low a price should make you doubt the quality of the product. It is better to refuse these products.

How to take chia seeds

You can eat this product raw or cooked. Unprocessed chia seeds are added to other foods. Moreover, if you add these seeds to a liquid or wet product, they will soften and acquire a jelly-like consistency. This trick helps to "hide" the chia seeds. For example, you can add them to yogurt or milk porridge, cottage cheese, or other foods. Chia seeds go well with both savory and sweet foods.

You can make delicious and healthy granola with chia seeds. To do this, stir in any crushed nuts, crushed dried fruit, oatmeal, chia seeds, and honey or maple syrup. Then form a tile from this mixture and refrigerate it to harden. Instead of honey or maple syrup, you can use peanut butter or another paste.

If you mix these seeds with mashed fruits, you get fruit jelly or jelly, depending on the number of seeds. To get a dense and voluminous consistency for 3 parts of mashed fruit, you need 1 part of chia seeds.

By grinding the chia seeds in a coffee grinder, you get a flour that can be used for baking, replacing some of the usual wheat flour with it. This will make your flour products healthier.

Alternatively, if you don't want to wait for the chia seeds to swell and turn to jelly, you can prepare the chia seed gel in advance and store it in the refrigerator. To do this, mix a large spoonful of seeds and 4 large tablespoons of water. Wait half an hour until the seeds turn into a jelly-like mass. Stir the mixture from time to time to prevent lumps from forming. In the refrigerator, such a gel can retain its beneficial properties for 2 weeks.

Chia seeds: reviews

According to buyers, chia seeds are very beneficial for weight loss. With their use, appetite decreases, a person begins to feel a feeling of satiety from a small portion of food. The stomach fills with swollen seeds, and you are satisfied with a little food. At the same time, there is a desire to drink a lot of water. And this, as you know, is very beneficial for health. From chia seeds, a surge of energy arises, a person begins to move more, a feeling of lightness in the body appears. All this will help to move in a natural way to proper nutrition, improve health and build. If additionally connected to chia seeds physical exercise and self-discipline, you can achieve amazing results in losing weight.