Chia Seeds

Does chia seeds have packed with all the nutrients to label them as numero uno, ultimate foodgrain? or are they just an another novel entrant to the spectrum of so called superfoods? chia are tiny, oblong shaped oil-seeds consumed as one of the staple by ancient aztecs. The crop, in fact,awas cultivated in the same measure to corn and amaranth by native mexicans. Many nutrition experts believe chia (salvia hispanica. L) seeds top the list of functional foods because of their wholesome nutritional properties. In fact, nutrition planners today have been looking up at chia as single, wholesome source of phyto-nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids (i plus-minus -linolenic acid), anti-oxidants, minearls, vitamins and dietary fiber in right proportions that an human body require! botanically, chia is a low-growing herb in the mint family of plants.

Chia (salvia hispanica) is a small, annual, drought-tolerant, flowering herb which flourishes well under sandy, fertile soil. The plant grows up to a meter in height and bears broad, green color leaves with serrated margins.

Purple, pink-violet color flowers in spikes appear after about 4 months after seedling. The seeds come in variegated colors depending upon cultivar type and vary in color from black, brown to off white. The seeds measure about 1 mm in diameter and resemble like miniature pinto beans. Ts smooth outer coat made of hygroscopic mucilage which absorbs water and swells up several times the original size.

Chia seeds compose almost of all the essential nutrients such as protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals that are essential for optimum growth and development.

Being an oil seed, chia is rich in calories. 100 g seeds provide 388 calories. However, much of their calories come from poly-unsaturated fatty acids (puf). Chia seeds compose an excellent proportion of omega-3 to 6 poly-unsaturated fats; in the recommended ratio of 1:4. An important omega 3-fatty acid in chia is alpha-linoleic acid (ala). Studies have found that ala and other omega 3 fatty acids by their virtue of anti-inflammatory actions help lower risk of blood pressure, coronary artery disease, strokes and breast, colon, and prostate cancers. Adequate quantities of omega-3's in the diet are essential for normal development and maturation of nervous system in infants and young children. Chia seeds compose several health benefiting anti-oxidants namely ferulic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, etc.

Chia is a gluten free grain. People with known sensitivity to gluten celiac's disease can safely add it in their diet.

The seeds are an excellent source of vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, folic acid. Niacin is an important b-complex vitamin found abundantly in chia, nearly more than double the amount in sesame seeds. The seeds are good sources of many essential minerals. Calcium, phosporous, iron, manganese, and magnesium are particularly concentrated in chia. Many of these minerals have a vital role in bone mineralization, red blood cell production, enzyme synthesis, as well as regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle activities.