Chia Seeds & Weight Loss

Native to Mexico and Guatemala, chia seeds come from the flowering plant Salbia Hispanica L, which is a member of the mint family. However, these black or white seeds do not impart any mint flavor, instead they do not have any particular flavor at all. Flavor or no flavor, these seeds have been known for increasing physical endurance. Moreover, the other health benefits are high content of essential fatty acids, abundant fiber, vitamins and mineral content, anti-inflammatory properties, detoxification properties, etc. However, are you aware that chia seeds & weight loss are linked? These seeds can actually conduce to weight loss.

Chia seeds are more like nutrition bullets, that have been known to be great weapons against the enemy; obesity. It's been known as a 'dieter's dream food' because of its weight loss benefits.

Appetite Suppressing Ability
Chia seeds were valued crops for the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. The Aztec warriors depended on these seeds for energy and survival, as these seeds sustained them for about 24 hours. Their high fiber content keeps you full for longer, thereby suppressing one's appetite. When added to foods, they add bulk and prevent overeating as well. Thus, even if a person eats the typical serving of some food, he or she feels much fuller due to the chia seeds added to it. For example, adding just one tbsp of chia seeds to one cup of salad will fill you up completely and will get rid of hunger pangs between meals.

Slows Down Conversion of Carbs to Fat
When brought in contact with water, chia seeds swell up from 7-10 times their regular size, due to the fantastic fiber structure within them. This high fiber content keeps as full and the nutrients present in the seeds furnishes the body with necessary energy to meet the challenges set before us during the day. Chia seeds contains a balanced blend of protein, carbohydrates, fats and fiber, which give the body the energy it requires.

When a person eats these seeds and the seeds absorb moisture to form a gel like consistency in the stomach, a barrier is formed between the carbs consumed and intestinal dietary enzymes due to which the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar is slowed down. Thus, a steady source of energy is supplied to the body and the blood sugar level is stabilized. As we know, when the blood sugar level gets stabilized, the person does not crave for fatty or sugary foods, thereby preventing unnecessary intake of calories during the day.

Boosts Metabolism
Chia seeds are high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids content. In fact, they are the richest plant source of omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids help boost body metabolism, thus it helps to burn more fat. It also promotes lean muscle mass. Moreover, these seeds are also seen to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Chia seeds can be eaten raw (after soaking them in water to form gel) or sprinkled over salads, desserts, savory foods or even added to smoothies. The best part about these seeds is that they do not alter the flavor of the food items to which they are added. Moreover, they are inexpensive and easy to find. Eating chia seeds not only helps trim down and get rid of those unsightly flabs, but the various benefits also help increase overall body health. However, one should also keep the side effects in mind while including them in the diet.