Remember the holiday commercial for the sprouting Terracotta kittens with the ch-ch-ch-chia jingle? I'm sure you'll be seeing ads for it any day now if you haven't already.
What you may not know is the chia seeds used to sprout from a ceramic pet figure are similar to ones you can add to your meals.
Why would you want to add chia seeds to your meals?
They have so many health promoting benefits, you'll be asking yourself why aren't you adding them.
Here are some Key Benefits of consuming chia seeds:- Taking chia seeds can prevent premature skin aging due to inflammation and free radical damage.
- One serving can provide the recommended fiber intake for the day. It can also work as a prebiotic that supports the growth of probiotics in the gut.
- Chia seeds’ ability to reverse inflammation, regulate cholesterol and lower blood pressure make it extremely beneficial to consume for heart health.
- By adding a serving of chia seeds a day, you can help boost your metabolism and burn belly fat as well. Studies show that the addition of chia seeds to your diet also reduces visceral adipose tissue, a “belly fat” tissue that effects the metabolism of the body and is a component of obesity.
- Just one ounce of chia seeds has about 18 percent of the recommended daily amount of calcium. Calcium is fundamental in bone health and helps maintain bone strength and mass.
- Chia seeds also rank among the top plant-based sources of protein. This is another reason this super seed is great to consume for those trying to put on lean muscle, burn fat and balance blood sugar levels.
- Chia seeds are also high in zinc, they help your body increase leptin. Leptin is a key hormone that regulates appetite, how your body spends energy and regulates your energy levels.
Check out the recipe below for a chia seed Chocolate Mint Protein Balls. It's so good you won't believe it's healthy! |
