Discover the strength of the Maya sealed in tiny chia seeds

Once upon a time, before the Spaniards conquered South America, chia seeds were the main food in the Aztec and Maya diets. Most of the evidence available to us shows that the population has known and used chia seeds since around 3500 BC. Aztecs and Maya milled the seeds into flour, they pressed oil and drank drinks from water-soaked chia seeds.

In those days, chia was perceived as a magical food due to its properties that increase strength and physical endurance. Hence the name of these seeds, the word “chia” means “strength” from the Maya language.

Unfortunately, after the Spanish conquest, the importance of chia seeds was overshadowed. The Spaniards began to introduce their food products, and the cultivation of chia seeds was banned. Fortunately, chia seeds are becoming more and more popular these days.

Chia seeds are considered “super-food” because they provide a very large amount of nutrients at low calorific content. Chia seeds have many of the same benefits as flax seeds. However, there is a fundamental difference between these products. Chia seeds do not need to be ground or soaked to bring out their health benefits. Some basic resources of chia seeds are fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants and protein.

Chia seeds have an amazing ability to absorb water. Chia can become 12 times heavier by absorbing water. This property causes a significant increase in the feeling of fullness and decrease in appetite. The result is that your meal becomes much smaller and you consume fewer calories.

Chia seeds are also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids (17.5 g per 100 g). The content of these acids in chia seeds is so high that it exceeds the amount of omega-3 in a portion of salmon, which is known for its richness of unsaturated fatty acids. Chia is also full of omega-6 fatty acids (5.8 g per 100 g). The daily portion of EFA (essential fatty acids) is extremely important for maintaining health, because our body is unable to produce these compounds. EFAs perform many very important functions such as the construction of new cells and the regulation of many cellular processes. Essential unsaturated fatty acids ensure healthy heart, strong hair and nails, and beautiful hair.

Chia seeds provide us with lots of calcium (631 mg per 100 g). 100 grams of seeds satisfy 63% of our daily calcium intake. This amount of chia seeds is more than twice as much calcium than in a glass of 2% milk! Currently, many people are choosing 2%, 1.5% or 0.5% milk. All of these options contain less calcium than the whole milk. The situation is the same when we choose low-fat dairy products. Therefore, many people may suffer from calcium deficiencies resulting in weak and fragile bones. Especially women who have undergone menopause are exposed to losses in the bone structure. Chia seeds are perfect for supplementing the diet with calcium.

As you can see, these tiny seeds turn out to be a huge dose of essential nutrients.

“If you could choose one food product that you could take on a desert island, you should choose chia seeds, and certainly if you are interested in expanding muscle tissue, lowering cholesterol or reducing the risk of heart disease. After a few months of a chia seed diet, you probably could get home even if it’s at the other side of the world.” This is a statement made by Christopher McDougall, the author of the bestseller about ultra-marathons runners. Read more about these wonderful seeds!