Chia and its many uses

seed that is extracted from the plant known as Salvia Hispanica

Chia is a seed that is extracted from the plant known as Salvia hispanica, belonging to the mint family, consists of a plant species which has the highest concentration omega 3 fatty acid.

The plant from which chia comes blooms between July and August and Australia is the country that produces it the most; from these flowers is extracted the product whose seed turns out to have a high mucilage content, used in pharmacy as a mixture both in suspensions and emulsions, being one of the major calorie sources consumed by humans and also in oil.

emilla that is extracted from the plant known as Salvia Hispánica

Among the benefits that chia offers, the following stand out:

  • Provides an elevated energy percentage, so it allows to increase the resistance and of course, the force.
  • Maintains levels of blood sugar under control, as it makes the process through which carbohydrates are converted into simple sugars, is performed at a slower speed.
  • It promotes weight loss, because when consumed, a Feeling full that stays for several hours.
  • Due to its high content of Soluble fiber, promotes intestinal regulation.
  • It works as a treatment for anti-inflammatory problems and cardiovascular diseases, since it contains a high content of omega 3 (which allows to keep under control not only the cholesterol levels, but also blood pressure).

Chia contains among its properties the following:

  • Double fiber of which any cereal in leaves has.
  • Double the potassium of bananas.
  • Triple the iron in spinach.
  • Triple the selenium in flax.
  • Triple the iron of spinach.
  • El triple the antioxidants possessed by blueberries.
  • Five times more calcium than whole milk has and at least eight times more phosphorus than it has.
  • Seven times more than omega 3 of the one who owns the salmon.
  • Fourteen times more magnesium than the amount of broccoli.

benefits that chia offers

Similarly, it should be noted that it is a food with a high content of niacin, manganese, zinc, copper and some other vitamins.

However, one of its greatest properties is its high content of essential fatty acidsSince the body cannot produce these acids, it is essential to consume them through different foods. The essential fatty acids They have many important functions, ranging from helping and preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, until optimizing the immune or nervous system.

Chia seeds are about a soluble fiber source and very complete proteins, since they provide all those amino acids that are essential for the proper functioning of the body.

They also have a high percentage of antioxidants, which are responsible for preventing damage caused to the body by free radicals. The appropriate amount of free radical provides health benefits, however an excessive increase in them is usually associated with degenerative conditionsInter alia.

As if it were not enough, due to its great ability to prevent carbohydrates from becoming simple sugars, consist of seeds that offer great benefits for those who suffer from diabetes; also, because of its high content of Omega 3, are ideal for those with heart conditions. And they are also gluten-free, so they are ideal for celiacs.

Although it has each of the above properties, it is necessary to take into account the daily consumption dose for chia seeds, which usually does not exceed 10gr, for example, this seeds contain a higher amount of omega 3 acid compared to salmon; however they are consumed to a lesser extent than this.

Ways to use chia

It is recommended consume them in their natural form and not as an addition to any oil or supplement. In addition, chia seeds They have the peculiarity that they can be perfectly preserved for long periods of time without having to add some kind of special preservative.

These seeds can be consumed as is, although you have to hydrate them with water, smoothies, juice or yogurt beforehand. By mixing chia seeds with some kind of liquid, you are release mucilage, generating a type of gelatin that can be added to drinks or salad dressings, as well as desserts.

Similarly, chia seeds have been used as a supplement to feed animalsIn particular, experiments have been carried out with both pigs and chickens and the result is usually meat that has a less saturated fatty acids, in addition to eggs that have a high content of omega 3.

Contraindications and side effects

Ways to use chia

As contraindications and Side effects, when you consume chia seeds it is necessary to pay close attention if you are one of those people who are medicated for hypertension or if you have a usually low voltage, since due to its vasodilator effect, these seeds have a property that consists of lowering blood pressure.

In certain people, consuming these seeds could generate stomachache. Likewise, they are not recommended for those who suffer from diverticulitissince the inflammation may get worse. Similarly and as an isolated case, those who suffer allergies to certain plants could be affected by consuming chia, as it could cause them trouble breathing properly, decay, itching and even a lot of weakness.

Although Chia has multiple properties and benefits, it is always recommended to consult a specialist before starting to consume it.

Characteristics of Salvia hispánica (plant from which Chia comes)

The characteristics of the plant called Sage and from which the chia is extracted are:

  • Opposite leaves with a width that varies between 3-5cm and a length of 4-8cm.
  • Your flowers they are hermaphroditic and white in color or purple, which arise in terminal clusters. These bloom in the Northern Hemisphere from July to August and they usually bear fruit at the end of the summer.
  • Its fruits are shaped like indehiscent achene / achene and its seeds (chia) have a high content of starch, mucilage and oil.
  • Its seeds they are 1,5mm wide and 2mm long, are shiny and oval in shape, are black or dark brown, although in some cases they are gray or white.

Chia plant care (Salvia Hispánica)

Chia plant care

For grow the Salvia Hispánica, it is necessary to take into account certain factors that will be very helpful for the plants to develop healthy and strong, thus having the opportunity to take full advantage of the chia tree:

  • Requires aerated and loose soil, where it receives enough sunlightas it does not bloom in the shadows.
  • It is necessary to take good care of it during frost, since they are temperate.
  • They can't stand the excessive watering, so they require a medium level.
  • It requires fertilizers with a high content of magnesium and calcium.
  • There must be at least 20cm of distance between each plant.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.