Chia seeds are becoming a bigger and bigger part of the health food scene. And if you’re someone who makes an effort to eat healthier, you may have dabbled in a chia seed recipe or two. These tiny black seeds are tasteless — and undergo a really cool gelatinous transformation when wet — so they’re easy enough to incorporate into your diet. But do you have any idea why you should actually be doing so?
As much as we like chia seed pudding, we wondered if chia was really worth all the hype so we investigated — and what we found was a resounding yes. If you’re looking to add more good-for-you foods into your diet, chia is a great ingredient to incorporate. Here are the five main reasons why:
1. They’re full of our favorite thing: antioxidants.
Antioxidants are good not only good for our cells — protecting them from the effects of free radicals — but they’re great for our skin, too. That could mean fewer wrinkles in the future.
2. A small serving of chia seeds has as much Omega-3 fatty acids in 2 tablespoons as 4 ounces of salmon.
It can be hard to get the recommended amount of Omega-3s without OD-ing on salmon. Chia seeds can help you give the filet a break.
3. Chia seeds are loaded with fiber.
Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain 10 grams of fiber, which is roughly 30 percent of the recommended daily intake. A high fiber diet is said reduce the risk of a number of chronic diseases.
4. They are high in protein, too.
Four grams for each serving (which is two tablespoons). That might not sound like a lot, but it adds up.
5. Chia seeds contain loads of calcium.
This is great news for anyone who doesn’t like — or just can’t — do dairy. The seeds contain five times more calcium than milk per ounce.
And just look at all the delicious things you can make with them.
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Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2016/01/06/health-benefits-of-chia-seeds-eat-them_n_8928016.html