5 Things You Need to Know About Chia Seeds

It seems that no matter where you turn, you can find chia seeds in everything! The latest health craze seems to have sprouted straight out of the 1970’s. But, this trend seems to have staying power. Chia seeds have gained popularity recently because this small seed packs a punch; a small serving of chia seeds has as much Omega-3 fatty acids in 2 tablespoons as 4 ounces of salmon. Plus, it’s packed with protein so you feel fuller for longer. But, there are a few things about chia seeds you may not realize.

Yes, they are “those” chia seeds.

Way back in 1977, a group in San Francisco created the first “Chia Guy” out of terracotta pots, to help grow chia seeds. The mission was to cultivate the chia greens, although they knew about the health benefits of the seeds themselves. The terracotta sprouting novelty soon caught major attention and by 1982, the first commercially available Chia Pet was sold.

But, chia seeds have been around for centuries

Chia was a staple food of the ancient Mayans and was even used as currency for Aztecs. Aztec runners were said to be able to sustain themselves for an entire day on only a teaspoon of seeds. Probably due to all of that protein we mentioned earlier. The word “chia” even means “strength” in Mayan. However, the seeds were nearly wiped out centuries ago, by the Spanish Conquistadors who introduced their own cuisine to South American and outlawed the farming of chia. Fortunately, they’ve slowly regained their superfood reputation over the past 20 years.

Chia seeds are incredible for your skin

This past July, researchers on a team from Mexico uncovered that chia seeds had a total natural antioxidants concentration nearly two times higher than previously reported! This means that chia seeds are actually healthier than we once believed. The study also found that the antioxidant activity was shown to stop up to 70% of free radical activity. Basically, all of the antioxidants in chia seeds could prevent your skin cells from aging as rapidly. With a one-two punch of antioxidants and repairing free radical damage, your skin will remain luminous, fresh, and wrinkle-free naturally.

These little seeds help treat diabetes

Because chia seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid and fiber, researchers from the University of Litoral in Argentina found that chia seeds can actually reverse the damage of diabetes and help you lose stubborn belly fat.  Scientist tested Wistar rats that had been fed a super sucrose-rich (sugar) diet for 3 months, with chia seeds being the only source of protein the rats consumed. After that initial period, the team found that eating chia seeds completely prevented the onset of insulin resistance. In fact, the blood levels in these rats didn’t change at all. They also discovered that the chia seeds reduced “belly fat” tissue.

Chia seeds will last forever

Almost. There are not many edible nuts or seeds that will stay fresh to eat for very long. Chia is the exception to the rule and can be eaten up to four or five years later so long as they get stored in a cool, dry place. We recommend an airtight container or jar for the best storage.

So, forget the terracotta pots and start adding chia seeds to your diet. The benefits are incredible and you can easily find the seeds at Farmview Market. We work with Back to the Basics 101 and their incredible line of healthy flour and baking mixes. Their Nourished in 5 contains organic pumpkin, sunflower, quinoa, hemp seeds, and chia seeds that have been finely milled. It makes a great addition to smoothies, pudding bowls, and more!