9 Reasons You Should Be Eating Chia Seeds

Chia seeds come from a plant native to Mexico and Guatemala. It’s a good thing someone decided to bring these little seeds to our part of the world, because they are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, as well as many other nutrients. Chia seeds can be white or black in color, but both varieties carry the same bountiful benefits. Because they are essentially flavorless, it’s easy to add chia seeds to your daily diet.

Some of the easiest ways to incorporate these nutrient-rich seeds into your diet are by adding them to smoothies, sprinkling them on top of salads or yogurt, and baking them into bread and other treats. So, here are 9 healthy reasons you should be doing just that!

One serving of chia seeds contains approximately one-third of the daily recommended fiber intake. Fiber is an essential part of your digestive health. Getting enough fiber in your diet also helps keep you full, which in turn curbs your appetite and supports weight loss. Sounds good to us!

Two words: complete protein. Chia seeds have all 9 essential amino acids, making them a complete source of protein. Just one serving of chia seeds provides approximately 10% of your daily protein requirements. Chia seeds are a reliable source of protein, especially for vegetarians and vegans. Protein helps repair your muscles, building you a lean, strong body!

Chia seeds can help stabilize blood sugar levels and support insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition often associated with excess abdominal fat. Excess belly fat, you say? Nobody welcomes that! Sprinkle a bit of chia seeds onto your next meal and watch the fat fry!

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the prevention of heart disease and for keeping your brain operating at top speed. Fish is the most well-known source of omega-3 fatty acids, but chia seeds offer a better-tasting and more versatile option for this important nutrient. Toss some in your next fruit smoothie—plus, no fish breath!

Got milk? With chia seeds in your diet, milk just won’t compare. Not only are chia seeds rich in calcium, but they also boast five times the amount found in milk. Sprinkle some chia seeds on top of your next Greek yogurt, and your strong bones and teeth will certainly thank you!

Chia seeds are little miracle workers for diabetics and those with blood sugar complications. The seeds can actually slow down how quickly your body turns carbs and other foods into sugars, helping to control your blood sugar levels. Slowing the peaks and drops in blood sugar can help keep people with diabetes stable.

Chia seeds are also said to help lower blood pressure. While there’s not a whole lot of concrete evidence to this claim, we’ll go ahead and indulge because of all of the other benefits, too!

Do you remember how quickly the hair on your long-lost Chia Pet grew? While chia seeds will not promote a green color change, they can help your hair grow long and strong! Rich in phosphorus, chia seeds support cell and tissue growth. That means they work wonders for your hair, skin, and nails!

Due to their high nutrient content, chia seeds help you feel full quickly. This can help with snacking and regulating your appetite — and, of course, support weight loss.

So, are you adding chia seeds to your snack right now? Get to it! Even if you are not looking to lose weight, your body can still benefit from the wondrous benefits of chia seeds. With all of these amazing benefits, it’s no wonder chia seeds are gaining such popularity. There are so many great ways to sneak them into your staple diet items. Browse through recipes or experiment on your own—you can’t go wrong!