- Chia seeds, or Salvia Hispanic, are a species of flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala.
- The seeds are nutrient-dense and considered a “superfood”. The seeds are usually consumed either raw or as an ingredient in various food items such as cereals, energy bars, salad dressings, baked goods, and smoothies.
- Chia seeds are commercially produced in Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Guatemala.
1.What are chia seeds good for?
Chia Seeds benefit the body with omega 3 fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which helps to increase your metabolic rate by increasing thermogenesis.
They also contain fiber which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and decreases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Fiber also helps you feel fuller longer and reduces sugar cravings.
2.How many chia seeds should you eat a day?
There is no set amount of Chia Seeds to be consumed a day. However, one tablespoon of Chia Seeds contains 4 grams of dietary fiber which meets 10% of the daily recommended value for fiber intake.
In addition, 1 ounce or 28 grams of Chia Seeds have about 137 calories.
Because it has so much fiber, taking too much can cause stomach bloating and indigestion due to lack of fluid intake with high amounts of fiber, as well as constipation from a lack of dietary fluids altogether.
Consuming too many Chia Seeds may lead to an imbalance in the microflora in the intestinal tract.
3.Do chia seeds actually help you lose weight?
Yes, Chia Seeds do help with weight loss because they are filling and take up space in the stomach (volume), making one feel fuller faster.
The gel-like coating that forms around each seed when combined with water also helps to slow digestion, allowing for extended-release of blood sugar into your bloodstream rather than an immediate insulin spike.
This not only prevents insulin resistance but also lowers LDL cholesterol levels, which decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Chia Seeds also contain mostly omega 3 fatty acids which increase metabolic rate by increasing thermogenesis and may aid in healthy weight management as well as the optimal function of all tissues in the body including brain cells.
4.What happens when you eat chia seeds every day?
When taken daily, Chia Seeds may provide a number of health benefits to include:
-reduction in cholesterol levels
-improved digestive health by increasing disruption and promoting fermentation of dietary fiber which acts as a prebiotic to increase absorption of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus that promote bone strength and mineralization, thus improving skeletal integrity and reducing risk for developing osteoporosis or bone fractures.
-increased energy and endurance due to the high concentration of omega 3 fatty acids which help improve the body’s metabolic rate by increasing thermogenesis and oxidation of lipids and glucose.
-improved bone health by increasing calcium retention, promoting stronger bones, and reducing the risk for developing osteoporosis or bone fractures.
5.Do chia seeds make you gain weight?
No, they do not cause any extra weight gain because they are mostly fiber which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and decreases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Fiber also helps you feel fuller longer and reduces sugar cravings.
However, taking too many Chia Seeds can cause stomach bloating if they are not taken with enough water or other fluids that provide adequate hydration.
In addition, too many Chia Seeds can cause constipation from a lack of dietary fluids altogether.
6.Does chia seeds make you poop?
Yes, because they contain mostly fiber which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and decreases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Fiber also helps you feel fuller longer and reduces sugar cravings however it has been known to cause stomach bloating if not taken with enough water or other fluids that provide adequate hydration.
In addition, too much fiber can lead to constipation from a lack of dietary fluids altogether which is why one should drink plenty of water when consuming foods high in fiber such as Chia Seeds so gut motility doesn’t become compromised leading to constipation or overly loose stools.
7.How much weight can you lose by drinking chia seeds?
Weight loss varies from person to person but Chia Seeds are helpful in losing weight because they are filling and take up space in the stomach (volume), making one feel fuller faster.
The gel-like coating that forms around each seed when combined with water also helps to slow digestion, allowing for extended-release of blood sugar into your bloodstream rather than an immediate insulin spike.
This not only prevents insulin resistance but also lowers LDL cholesterol levels, which decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Chia Seeds also contain mostly omega 3 fatty acids which increase metabolic rate by increasing thermogenesis, therefore, helping you burn more calories naturally even while at rest thus aiding with overall weight management as well as the optimal function of all tissues in the body including the brain cells.
8.What do chia seeds and lemon water do?
Studies show that Chia Seeds retain 10 times their weight in water which helps produce a gel-like substance that absorbs nutrients as well as toxins found within the intestinal tract, aiding with colon health by removing harmful substances from the digestive tract similar to how a broom sweeps dust from a floor.
In addition, it has been shown that potassium citrate from lemons may help regulate acid secretion not only for those suffering from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) but also for those at risk for developing kidney stones by increasing excretion of urine and decreasing serum calcium concentrations which increases the amount of calcium available for precipitation as calcium oxalate or phosphate which are common components of stones.
Lemon water also helps to stimulate metabolism, work as an appetite suppressant and detoxify the body naturally due to the high antioxidant levels found in lemons.
Conclusion:
Chia Seeds are a great addition to anyone’s diet because they are healthy, nutritious, and versatile.
From salads, smoothies, or just by themselves as a snack with some water or juice one can benefit from the added fiber intake which has been shown to decrease the risk for heart disease, diabetes, weight management as well as colon health.
Lemon water is also great for the digestive system but also helps detoxify the body through increased urinary excretion of calcium that decreases kidney stone formation while at the same time promoting metabolism and acting as an appetite suppressant helping aid in weight loss or maintenance.