What
exactly is a Chia? Chia is familiar to most of
us as a novelty gift item known as the Chia Pet™; a gift marketed around the holidays that no one wants to recieve, and it quickly turned into a bad joke. Little was known of the seeds
tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties. For centuries this tiny
seed was used as a staple by the Indians of the southwest and
Mexico. Known as the running food, its used as a high energy endurance food that has
been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs.
Try this experiment: measure a spoonful of Chia in a glass of water
and leave it for approximately 30 minutes. When you return the glass
will appear to contain an almost solid gelatin. This gel-forming reaction is
due to the soluble fiber in the Chia. Researchers believe this same gel-forming
phenomenon takes place in the stomach when food containing these gummy fibers,
known as mucilage, are eaten. The gel that is formed in the stomach creates a
physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break
them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar that tend to spike insulin levels.
In addition to the obvious benefits for diabetics,
this slowing in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar offers the ability
for creating endurance; carbohydrates is the primary fuel used for energy in our bodies.
Prolonging their conversion into sugar, stabilizes metabolic changes
that diminishes the insulin surges creating a longer duration in their
fueling effects.
One of the exceptional qualities of Chia seed is
its hydrophilic properties, provinding an environment for the body to absorb more than 12 times its
weigh in water. Its ability to hold on to water prolongs
hydration. This environment supports all of our bodies cells. Their concentration and composition are regulated
to remain as constant as possible. With Chia seeds, you retain hydration
more efficiently allowing the body to absorb nutrients more effectively. Because
there is a greater efficiency in the utilization of body fluids, the
electrolyte balance is maintained.
Example: Fluid and electrolyte imbalances occur when
large amounts of fluids are lost resulting from vomiting, diarrhea, high fever,
or more commonly from sweating? The loss of extracellular fluid occurs during these
conditions. Intracellular fluid then shifts out of cells to compensate, causing
abnormal distribution of electrolytes resulting in
cellular malfunction. Retaining and efficiently utilizing body fluids
maintains the integrity of extracellular fluids, protecting intracellular fluid
balance. The results of which ensure normal electrolyte dispersion across cell
membranes (electrolyte balance), maintaining fluid balances, resulting in
normal cellular function.
Chia seeds are the definitive hydrophilic colloid for
the 21 century diet. Hydrophilic colloids, (a watery, gelatinous, glue-like
substance) form the underlying elements of all living cells. They possess the
property of readily taking up and giving off the substances essential to cell
life; the precipitation of the hydrophilic colloids cause cell death.
As a source of protein Chia, after ingestion, is
digested and absorbed very easily. This results in rapid transport to the
tissue and utilization by the cells. This efficient assimilation makes the Chia
very effective when rapid development of tissue takes place, primarily during
growth periods if children and adolescents. Also for the growth and
regeneration of tissue during pregnancy and lactation, this would also
include regeneration of muscle tissue for conditioning, athletes, weight
lifters, etc.
Another unique quality of Chia is its high
oil content; the richest vegetables source for the essential omega-3 fatty
acid. It has approximately three to ten times the oil concentrations of most
grains and one and a half to two times the protein concentrations of other
grains. These oils, unsaturated fatty acids, are the essential oils your body
needs to help emulsify and absorb the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, & K.
Chia seeds are rich in the unsaturated fatty acid, linoleic, which the body
cannot manufacture.
Summary:
Help weight loss. Chia seeds are popular for weight
loss. They reduce food cravings by preventing some of the food that
you eat from getting absorbed too quickly into your system. This blockage of calorie
absorption makes them a great diet helper.
Feel fuller faster: They can also help your diet by
making you feel full. This is because they absorb 10 times their weight in
water, forming a bulky gel.
Hydration for
athletes: They
are also great for athletes because the "chia gel" can hydrate the
body.
Reduce your blood
pressure:
There's evidence to suggest they can reduce blood pressure.
Omega-3: They are the richest plant source
of Omega-3 (the vital fats that protect against inflammation—such as arthritis—and
heart disease). In fact, one ounce of chia contains the equivalent of three pounds salmon!
Benefits for
diabetes:
Because chia seeds slow down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrates into
simple sugars, studies indicate they can control blood sugar. This leads scientists to believe chia seeds may have
great benefits for diabetics.
They are easier to digest than flax seeds, and don't need to be ground up.
