You know the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk … where he plants a small bean seed and it grows into an enormous stalk?
Well what if we told you about a tiny seed that has HUGE health benefits?
In a nutshell, the chia seed is a small but mighty superfood. If you’re unfamiliar with chia seeds, let’s walk through those benefits together!
What are chia seeds?
Chia seeds originate from a plant called Salvia hispanica, which is part of the mint family. Chia is an easier to remember and pronounce nickname, so people started calling the seed this instead of its scientific name.
Chia seeds originally came from Central America, and the ancient Aztecs and Mayans regularly ate them as part of their daily diet routines. They are very small and most commonly black in appearance but can also be white or brown.
Are chia seeds healthy?
The short answer to this commonly asked question is YES! Chia seeds are very good for you to consume regularly and come with a ton of health benefits.
Chia seeds are an amazing source of key minerals, including phosphorus, copper, selenium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and more. They also contain high amounts of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids and are rich in protein. If you’re not a fan of salmon and are looking to get your daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids elsewhere, chia seeds are a great choice!
They are even known to improve digestive health and decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes when eaten regularly.
What’s not to like about all of that?!
Benefits of chia seeds for skin and hair
Chia seeds have many benefits you may feel on the inside but not necessarily see. However, they have several benefits a person’s outward appearance, particularly as it relates to the health of skin and hair.
Remember those omega-3 fatty acids we mentioned? Well, omega-3 fatty acids help heal skin and even offer protection against acne-causing bacterias! And ultimately, this can prevent blemishes. Pesky pimples be gone!
The high amount of fiber and protein in chia seeds also has a positive impact on hair roots and promotes overall hair growth. So if you’re looking to grow out your hair, chia seeds are a wonderful addition to your daily diet.
And you don’t just have to eat chia seeds to reap their benefits! Try grinding them into a fine paste and treat yourself to an at-home spa day with a relaxing face mask.
We found these instructions on how to create a chia seed mask, but in short:
- Put 2 tablespoon chia seeds in a bowl
- Add a few drop of hydrating coconut oil or clarified butter
- Heat this mixture to achieve a soothing lukewarm temperature
- Apply this paste directly onto your scalp/skin.
- Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse clean.
That’s it!
Drinking chia seeds
A popular way to see the benefits of chia seeds is to drink them.
Here are a few simple recipes to test out:
Smoothie: Craving something sweet but don’t want a sugar-filled snack? A fruit smoothie is a tasty solution! When you add chia seeds to your smoothie, you get allll the health benefits of a fruit smoothie PLUS the nutrients from chia seeds, too–a win-win! Here’s a favorite strawberry smoothie with chia seeds recipe.
Proper Good Blueberry & Coconut Oatmeal: The base of this delicious oatmeal mix has just 5 ingredients, including the all mighty chia seed! The stir-in topping packet is a customer favorite, which includes delicious blueberries, toasted coconut flakes, crunchy pumpkin seeds, maple syrup powder, and butterfly pea-powder. Did we mention the oatmeal mix TURNS BLUE when you mix in the stir-in packet?? You’re never too old to get excited about a fun treat. :)
Muffins: The grab and go staple–a muffin! There are SO many tasty ways you can make muffins, and the best part is that they’re quick and easy … and often don’t need more than one pan to make! This pumpkin chia seed muffin recipe uses all natural ingredients and is perfect for chillier days.
Veggie Dip: Chia seeds are also excellent in savory dishes, such as this Chia Seed Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip! With ingredients like parsley fakes, garlic powder, dill, and chives in addition to chia seeds, this dip is a perfect companion to a big bowl of veggies.
Benefits of chia seeds for dogs
Wait … dogs can have chia seeds, too? You bet!
Many people are surprised to learn that chia seeds are safe for dogs to eat. Believe it or not, chia seeds are rich in nutrients like phosphorus and zinc, which is very beneficial to dogs’ health.
Chia seeds do not have to be ground down before you share them with your pup and are most commonly sprinkled on top of their kibble!
So do we have you convinced to make chia seeds a regular part of your diet yet? We hope this blog post was useful in providing guidance on the MANY ways you can use chia seeds.
