Until you try them, you might be wondering what chia seeds, which appear to be nothing but small slimy tiny grains, can do for your health. Some people have categorized them as superfoods, which might have dented their credibility considering the number of foods that have been undeservedly given this label.

However, chia seeds have been revered since long ago, and Aztecs and Mayans swore by them, thanks to their nutritional value and neutral flavor. Aztec warriors relied on them as survival foods.

Chia seeds come from Salvia hispanica, a flowering plant that belongs to the mint family.

If you have been serious about your diet and eating healthy, you should hear more about this food. The changes they can make to your body should be apparent within a month.

That's why today, we will be talking about some of the benefits that come with eating chia seeds.

1. They Are Satiating

A lot of people don't know that chia seeds increase in size when they soak, which partly explains why they are so satiating. So, although they are not so easy to swallow due to their texture, you will feel quickly satiated after consuming them.

To enjoy them better, you should add them to your meals. The best thing about them is that they will keep you full for much longer.

2. They Reduce Fat

If you have some belly fat, you should be happy to hear that these seeds might help you. Since they are filling, they keep you from overeating and help you lower and even reverse fat accumulation in your belly area.

The seeds have a lot of soluble fiber, ensuring that your body does not absorb food as fast. This keeps you full for longer and ensures that you can go for much longer without food.

Chia seeds also have high quantities of vitamin B, which can improve metabolism and increase weight loss.

Studies have been done on how they aid with weight loss. Scientists discovered a significant weight loss in a group that was given these seeds compared to the group that was not.

As a bonus, they discovered that the seeds also helped regulate cholesterol.

3. The Seeds Improve Your Bowel Movements

You might not relate to this, but many people out there struggle with their bowel movements. Some have to take medications to get things going.

The problem is usually the lack of fiber in their diet, and these seeds have tons of this stuff. A tablespoon has five whole grams of fiber.

People have confessed to having better bowel movements after taking the seeds. So, if you often feel bloated and backed up, this might be your answer.

Chia seeds also lower incidences of constipation. However, you should be careful not to eat too many of them as that can result in the opposite effect.

4. Chia Seeds Ensure Better Dental Health

Because chia seeds have lots of calcium, they are very good at maintaining your dental health. The seeds also have boron, which enhances the metabolism of phosphorous, manganese, and magnesium.

These nutrients are necessary for strong teeth.

Generally speaking, chia seeds are also great for bone health as they have lots of calcium. You will be surprised to learn that 25 grams of chia seeds have more calcium than 100 ml of milk.

5. Chia Seeds Can Give You Better Skin Health

Some people describe the skin-enhancing benefits of chia seeds as the "chia seed glow." If you have dry and flaky skin that needs a lot of moisturizing, you might feel like you should ditch the moisturizer altogether after eating chia seeds and enjoying their moisturizing effect on the skin.

Already, many people, including celebrities like Jessica Alba, swear that chia seeds were a game-changer.

As you know, having healthier skin means having a more youthful look, and who doesn't want that? In addition to keeping your skin moisturized, they have antioxidants that help reduce damage to the skin.

6. Chia Seeds Are A Great Source Of Protein, Omega-3s, And Calcium

We need protein in our bodies all the time. A tablespoon of chia seeds has 3 grams of protein, which means they are packed with this vital nutrient.

If you are a vegetarian, you should make them an essential part of your diet since protein is a little harder to get once you stop eating meat. The best thing about them is that you can eat them raw and add them to many things.

For this reason, gym rats should undoubtedly make sure chia seeds are an essential part of their diet.

In addition to protein, they are also rich in omega-3 acids, which means your heart health gets a significant boost after you eat them. Omega-3 fatty acids are suitable for the heart as they lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure.

Also, chia seeds are exceptionally rich in calcium, which is a nutrient that is pretty hard to get as a vegetarian.

7. They Go With Practically Everything

You can add chia seeds to many things, including smoothies, cereals, toasts, stews, and a lot of other things. You can also grind them if you want or consume them as they are.

They will also add a lot of flavor to things you are consuming.

Professionals recommend that you soak them in water for five minutes as you stir them before eating them raw.

8. Chia Seeds Can Help With Sleep

Two hormones are responsible for how good your sleep goes. The two hormones, serotonin, and melatonin are made by tryptophan, an amino acid.

Since chia seeds have tryptophan, so they can ensure that your sleep is deep and relaxing.

9. Lower Diabetes Risk

According to experts, including the United States Department of Agriculture, chia seeds are among the most powerful weapons against diabetes.

Thanks to their high amounts of fiber, protein, and unsaturated fats, chia seeds are very good at regulating blood sugar levels.

Through a study involving 840,242 people, Chia seeds have also been linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer, thanks to the high amounts of ALA in them. ALA is alpha-linolenic acid, which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in some plant foods.

Ready To Give Them A Try?

Chia seeds might not be very cheap, but they are sure worth it. They might be your healthy go-to meal. You never know.

These seeds are also safe for most people to consume, and they rarely cause any side effects when consumed in the right quantities. Consuming too many chia seeds can cause digestion issues and a blood-thinning result. The latter effect is desirable in people with high blood pressure, but only to a certain extent.

Otherwise, allergies to chia seeds are pretty uncommon. You should also watch out not to choke on the seeds when consuming them on their own. Fortunately, this can be avoided by first soaking the seeds in water for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure they don't start expanding once they get in your throat.

As with other healthy foods, it is essential to remember that chia seeds are not magical. So, they will not somehow undo the effects of years of poor dietary choices.