Chia: The Miracle Seed

As we age, many of us are starting to realize the health implications of our diet. We are paying more attention to what we are putting into our bodies.  Recently there has been a resurgence of Chia, an ancient whole grain rich in nutrients. Chia was a component of Aztec and Mayan diets more than 300 years ago, before being banned after the Spanish conquest because of its association with the Aztec “pagan” religion. Over the past two decades, commercial production and consumption of Chia has resumed.

Today Chia is gaining in popularity for its health benefits. It has remarkable nutritional content for a single food. It is super packed with Omega 3 essential fatty acid, contains high levels of calcium, is high in fibre, contains magnesium and iron, is a source of protein and a powerful antioxidant. Unlike ground flaxseed, Chia does not go rancid. Unlike fish oil, it has no taste and is plant based making it acceptable for vegetarians and the environmentally-conscious.  Because it is a member of the mint family, insects do not like the plant so it is easy to find pesticide-free seeds. Chia isn’t a supplement; it is an all-natural, raw, whole food.

Preliminary studies have shown Chia to be effective in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and it may benefit diabetics by slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar. It absorbs more than 12 times its weight in water offering the ability to prolong hydration, a benefit to endurance athletes and results in a fuller feeling which aids in weight loss.  

As stated in Christopher McDougall’s book ‘Born To Run’, “if you had to pick one desert-island food, you couldn’t do much better than Chia...and after a few months you could probably swim home!”

If you are interested in more information or would like to purchase Chia, please contact Maximum Physiotherapy at 444-3600.