What the heck are Chia seeds?

sheri3762

HI everyone!! I've been seeing a few posts on Chia seeds. I've never heard of them!! Was wondering if anyone can tell me a bit about them? Their benifits? Do they give you more energy? And most of all, what do they taste like? thanks!!!

AlynnP1005

This is the link I was given when I was wondering the same thing

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/chia.html

emarcia28

i found this online...maybe it helps!

Chia seeds are a nutrient-rich food that is easy to find, inexpensive and may be able to help you trim down and burn unwanted fat off your body. These seeds have a long history of human use as a superfood, and recently have been touted as a great natural ally in the battle against obesity. Let's take a look at the facts about chia seeds and some of the information that has come to light recently about their role in an overall strategy to burn fat.

History
1. Chia seeds come from a sage plant, Salvia hispanica, that grows in Mexico. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, chia seeds were an important food crop for the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Aztec warriors who needed a source of energy and highly concentrated nutrition used chia as a survival ration. One tbsp. of chia seed reportedly sustained them for 24 hours, and much of their modern usage as food that helps you lose weight comes from this appetite-suppressing ability.

Benefits
2. According to Dr. Weil, chia seeds contain more omega-3 fatty acids than flax seeds as well as high levels of antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, zinc and other nutrients. In a 2005 clinical study done at the University of Arizona in Tucson, chia seeds were found to lower triacylglycerol (fat cell) levels in rat blood as well as increase HDL cholesterol and omega-3 levels.

Weight Loss
3. Besides their high nutritional value and beneficial fatty acid content, chia seeds also contain another property that may be linked to their reported ability to help you lose weight. According to Botanical.com, chia seeds contain a soluble fiber that forms a gelatin-like mass when bound to water. When this happens inside the human digestive tract, it slows the digestive process and helps to effectively alleviate and suppress hunger.

Considerations
4. A 2009 study done at the Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, concluded that chia seeds did not promote weight loss or lower disease risk factors in a group of overweight adults. However, chia seeds were added as a supplement to the diet and not as a meal replacement or used as an appetite suppressant. The unique ability of chia seeds to suppress hunger may be their greatest value as a weight-loss supplement.

Potential
5. Since chia seeds seem to effectively suppress hunger and also contain a wealth of nutrients that support vital functioning in the body, they surely can be a great addition to any overall weigh-loss strategy. Used as a snack in between meals to suppress hunger and nourish the body, the little chia seed may be one of your best allies in the fight to lose weight

emarcia28

ooOOo i got more info lol :flowerforyou:

Dr. Oz show:

http://ask.doctoroz.com/question/chia-seed-health-benefits

and a muffin recipe hehe also from Dr. Oz show website:

Say the word chia and most of us immediately think of little green pets. But we want you to think of chia for another reason: A whole grain used by the Aztecs as their main energy source, chia can help restore energy levels and decrease inflammation because of its omega-3 fatty acids. Similar to corn starch, chia can be used as a thickening agent and as a substitute for whole grains in your diet. Whole grains, of course, are especially important because they help stabilize blood sugar levels, as opposed to spikes and falls that can occur when you eat sugars and refined carbohydrates. Here's one way to use chia:

Chia Muffins:
1 tbsp. chia seeds, ground (use a coffee or spice grinder)
1 1/2 cup whole wheat or whole grain flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt (You can use salt and pepper to taste)
16 oz. canned organic pumpkin (make sure there is only pumpkin listed on the ingredient list)
2 egg whites
1/4 cup high-quality canola oil
1/2 cup agave nectar
1 tbsp. vanilla
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts

Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix all wet ingredients. Fold the wet ingredients and nuts into the dry ingredients, stirring only until dry ingredients are moistened (don't overmix). Spoon into paper-lined or greased (with canola oil) muffin tins. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Store completely cooled muffins in re-sealable plastic bags in the freezer. Makes about a dozen.

Vallandingham

Aren't Mayans and Aztecs extinct? Hope it wasn't the seeds.

alf1163

Aren't Mayans and Aztecs extinct? Hope it wasn't the seeds.

LOL That is a good one!!!!

I tried them and did not see/feel any benefits. Maybe I did not use them long enough. I just bought a bag and was taking one tbsp a day. I was mixing them in my oatmeal in the morning. And they are expensive. I also heard, from my coworker, that it lowers the blood pressure. They were giving him bad headaches. His younger brother and parents swear by them though. They feel more energetic and it keeps them regular. :flowerforyou: