For most people, the Chia seed is something that you associate with a Christmas time commercial for a novelty item. What most people do not know is that the Chia seed has been around forever and is actually something that was a vital part of the Indian Civilization. That is only one unique fact of this amazing little seed, but there are surely more that will amaze you just as much.
The Chia seed has been a proven source of energy for Ancient Indians. Because of its natural makeup, Indians used this as an energy booster for their daily diet. It enabled them to not get dehydrated on long journeys and provided them with a great source of energy. This was an energy bar before there were energy bars.
In ancient times, money did not exist. Currency was often used in things that were of value to the different civilizations. Since the Aztecs valued Chia seeds, they had a monetary value and were often used as a form of currency when they bartered for other goods.
The Chia seed was all but lost after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Indians. With the conquest came the banning of all things that were related to the Aztecs. Luckily, this magical “superfood” endured and we are now lucky enough to know the true benefits that this “novelty” food source possesses.
When a Chia seed is exposed to water, it can absorb up to 12 times its weight in water. Not only that, but it turns into a gel like substance that is actually very helpful as a diet aid. This is the same effect that many diet pills seek to obtain when swallowed with a glass of water. The difference being that Chia seeds are natural and pose no danger to your digestive system.
In fact, the opposite of that is true. Not only are they not a danger, but they are very helpful in digestion as they are a rich source of fiber for your diet. Many diet pills will literally clog up your system and not allow you to maintain your regularity. Chia seeds fiber make-up alleviate that problem and still give you the benefit of feeling full after their consumption.
Chia seeds are also very rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids that are a cornerstone of today’s health craze. In fact, there is no other plant form that can offer you the same content of Omega 3’s that the organic Chia seed can. Not only that, but because of their high antioxidant level, they will not spoil as quickly as many of the other plant forms that offer you Omega 3’s.
It is quite obvious that the Chia seed is much more than a seed to be used for a novelty Christmas gift. The reality of it is that Chia seeds should be an integral part of any healthy diet plan. They offer many of the nutrients that are talked about in the much hyped “superfoods” and also have many of the characteristics that diet aids unnaturally introduce into our bodies. All of this means a safe and effective food source that will keep you healthy and aid in weight loss.
