Chia seeds come from the mint tree family from southern and central Mexico. They are tiny edible seeds of a flowering plant called Salvia hispanica. Chia seeds are hydrophilic or water-loving so that they can soak water or liquid 12 times its weight. According to economic historians, ancient people cultivated and used chia seeds for food and medicine. Chia seeds were also used for religious offerings and rituals.
They have been rediscovered for their practical uses, versatility, and nutritional values. Some people like adding chia seeds to smoothies, yogurt, energy bars, and cereals, while others use it as a vegan alternative for eggs. People are getting creative in cultivating and preparing chia seeds, and the hype is backed by science and research. This article lists the top 10 health benefits of chia seeds.
Improve Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes is a health condition that affects how the body uses glucose or blood sugar. It happens when the pancreas stops releasing insulin or the body can’t properly use the glucose. As a result, a person with diabetes has abnormally high fasting blood sugar levels. As a result, they can experience fatigue, extreme weight gain or loss, blurry vision, unexplained hunger, and numbness. Complications from diabetes can also lead to multiple organ failures.
Consuming chia seeds can potentially help in the regulation of blood sugar levels. This is attributed to the high fiber and omega-3s found in chia seeds which can help reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels. In addition, chia seeds are also rich in magnesium and antioxidants, which are proven effective against diabetes complications.
Animal studies have shown promising effects of chia seeds in improving insulin sensitivity and stabilizing sugar levels. In 2013, a comparative study between regular bread and bread with chia seeds showed that eating bread with chia seeds helped lower the blood sugar level of healthy individuals.
