Superfood Snacks: 4 Benefits of Chia Seeds
The benefits of chia seeds go beyond just regular food. That’s why they’ve become the crowning jewel of a new group called “superfoods.”
So, superfoods refer to certain foods that contain a wealth of nutrients.
And it’s no wonder that chia seeds top the superfoods list.
Provided they’re properly prepared, chia seeds are easily digestible, nutrient-dense and add an energy-boost punch to many healthy snacks.
Moreover, chia seeds promote healthy skin, reduce signs of aging, support the heart, build stronger bones, improve the digestive system and more.
Part of what makes chia seeds so beneficial is the fact that they’re rich in fiber, healthy fats, vitamins A, B, E and D, and a wealth of minerals including:
- Sulphur
- Iron
- Iodine
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Niacin
- Thiamine
Additionally, Chia seeds provide an excellent source of antioxidants. But if knowing their nutritional profile isn’t enough to get you to give this superfood snack a try, keep reading!
4 Surprising Benefits of Chia Seeds
1. Improve Digestive Health
With nearly 11 grams of fiber per ounce, Chia seeds provide a great way to get your recommended fiber intake for the day–more about the benefits of fiber here! Fiber is essential for balancing blood sugar levels. Many studies show that chia seeds can be a natural blood sugar balancer due to their high fiber and healthy content.
In addition to balancing blood sugar and helping you feel fuller longer, chia seed fiber promotes bowel regularity. Due to their soluble fiber, chia seeds create a gelatin-like substance in your stomach that works as a prebiotic to support the growth of probiotics in your gut. Furthermore, if you struggle with bloating or digestive issues (think: constipation, etc) supporting the growth of probiotics in your gut is a must. For many women, bloating can be caused by an imbalance of the bacteria in your intestines, so having superfood snacks that improve digestive health and help restore the bacterial balance is vital.
2. Improve Heart Health
Chia seeds have an amazing ability to regulate cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Many studies like this show that chia seeds are beneficial for reversing oxidative stress, which in turn decreases your risk of developing atherosclerosis. In addition, chia seeds are a great source of healthy fats which improve heart health in more ways than one.
Healthy fats like those found in chia seeds:
- fight inflammation
- lower blood fats (aka triglycerides)
- reduce blood pressure
- increase HDL cholesterol (the good kind)
- lower both LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and blood pressure
- fight depression
BONUS: Finally, for all our pregnant mamas, omega 3 fatty acids like the ones found in chia seeds can prevent preterm birth and support brain and eye development in babies!
3. Improve Bone Health
Believe it or not, another of the many benefits of chia seeds is that one ounce contains about 18% of your recommended daily amount of calcium. As you know, calcium is an important part of maintaining strong bone density. (Read more about bone health here!) Chia seeds also contain boron, an important nutrient for bone health. Your body requires boron for proper metabolism and utilization of various bone-building factors, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D.
4. Improve Weight Loss
In addition to the powerful antioxidants and the ability to keep you feeling fuller longer, chia seeds help replace some of those nutrients lost when exercising. This is especially important if your goal is weight loss. Fueling your body with essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron and niacin is important to keeping your metabolism functioning well. Chia seeds absorb up to 10 times their own weight in water, so they’re also great at improving hydration. In addition, the fiber content of chia seeds keeps you feeling fuller longer, balances blood sugar and reduces sugar cravings. The zinc found in chia seeds can help your body increase leptin, which is an important hormone that regulates hunger and cravings.
Superfood Snacks: Shine Organics Brings You the Benefits of Chia Seeds
So now that you know WHY to eat chia seeds, let’s talk about HOW to eat chia seeds.
NOTE: If you want the nutrients from chia seeds to be readily available for digestion and assimilation, the best way to access their vitamins and minerals is to either grind or soak them.
Chia seeds can easily be added to most smoothies, you could roll them into some No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls, or if you’re a busy mom like me who’s on the go, check out the new Shine Organics superfood pouches!
Each Shine Organics Pouch contains a special blend of organic, super ingredients–real fruits and vegetables, chia seeds, and other nutritious superfoods.
Finally, Shine Organics created their pouches to make superfoods and the benefits of chia seeds more accessible to everyone! They have developed some amazing flavors that have all been blended to support your entire well-being and nourish a healthy lifestyle.
Superfood Snack Basics
- On-the-go organic snack, so you can always eat your best, no matter where you are.
- Unique blend of organic superfoods, fruits and veggies
- 100 calorie pouch
- Excellent source of vitamins A & C
- Good source of potassium & fiber
- Milled chia for smooth texture
- No added sugar or artificial flavors
I found these at my local Target (near the applesauce section). I love that they fit effortlessly into my active lifestyle. Whether you need a quick snack after yoga or before a workout (or while you’re waiting in carpool line at preschool drop off!), Shine Organics provides you with all the delicious nutrition you need!
Get a coupon for $1.00 off a 4-pack of Shine Organics Superfood Pouches here!
Super isn’t just for food! Your whole life can be super when you #dofitnessbetter and enjoy the benefits of a fat loss lifestyle by joining the BeyondFit Life Club. Join today for access to super fun workouts, super easy recipes and a super supportive group of like-minded women!
