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Some basic info on chia seeds

IBWriter | Sep 15, 2010 |

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Chia seeds have long been existing dating back to the times of the great Aztecs in ancient Mexico. They have cultivated the chia plant and used its seeds as a source of food that provides them with an alternative to medicine and as a high energy endurance food. Recent researches in the last part of the decade have proven its nutritional and medicinal benefits such causing positive changes to the lower gastrointestinal tract due to improved digestion, reducing cravings especially for people to need to lose weight for slimming or health purposes, and decreasing discomfort on food for people who have sensitive stomachs.

The organic chia seed features oval shapes with a size of about 0.039 inches in diameter. It contains 64% omega-3 fatty acids, 20% protein, 34% oil, 25% dietary fiber plus a considerable of antioxidants.

It is important to note that there is no significant difference between a black chia seed and a white chia seed. Both seed colors provide the same amount of nutrients common with the chia. However, chia plants grown in cooler climates and higher elevations seem to have increasing levels of oil thus resulting to higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

However, there was a study done in 2006 by Dr. Wayne Coates of the University of Arizona and research partner Ricardo Ayerza, perhaps the pioneers in the discovery of centuries-forgotten chia seeds that showed probably the sole slight difference between the black and white chia seeds.

A. Grown in the same high altitude:
1. White seeds have higher fatty content to as much as 64.5%.
2. Black seeds have lower fatty content by 63.3%.

B. Grown in the same lower level:
1. White seeds have 64.7% of oil.
2. Black seeds have 64.9% of oil.

It was suggested that to get the most nutrients out of the seeds you may blend the black chia seeds with the white ones. You may consume it raw, or have it mixed to fresh fruit juices and as a part of a dish or recipe.