For the Maya they were a staple food, for us they are a miracle cure: chia seeds. You can even grow chia yourself.
Foods appear in the press again and again that are said to have a positive effect on our he alth and appearance. Some time ago, these were, for example, the goji berries or the acai berries, which many now even grow in their own gardens. At the moment, everyone is talking about chia seeds, which are said to do a lot for our body.
US celebrities such as Miranda Kerr, Gwyneth P altrow and Oprah Winfrey now swear by this food. It is even part of their daily menu. Not least because the chia seeds are very versatile, but also because they are supposed to help you lose weight.
And the great thing is that you can use it to prepare countless vegan recipes, which should definitely suit the many he alth-conscious women. In addition, the seeds have a neutral taste. They can be used for many dishes without changing their aroma. But what is this miracle seed from Mexico really all about?
Ingredients of Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are not a newly discovered food, as the positive effects of these seeds have been known in Mexico for several hundred years. These should have a positive effect on our organism in many ways. They not only support him in losing weight, but also strengthen the immune system, improve the complexion and even delay the aging process. So it must be a true miracle cure from nature.
In order to be able to understand these extraordinarily many positive properties, you should simply take a look at the ingredients of the seeds: First and foremost, they have a very high protein content, i.e. protein that other types of grain or seeds do not can keep up. In addition, it also contains a high percentage of calcium, even more than in milk. Then there are valuable omega fatty acids, boron, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin K, antioxidants and iron.
Why are chia seeds so he althy?
After taking a look at the ingredients, it should be pretty clear why chia seeds are so he althy. Nevertheless, we would like to go into the importance of some special ingredients in more detail.
» Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids:
Our body needs essential fatty acids, but the organism cannot produce omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids itself. Fish would be the number 1 food when it comes to getting them, but not everyone likes them. Chia seeds are a perfect alternative. They even have a much higher content of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids than fish. Even the salmon can't keep up with that.
And these are exactly the substances our body needs. On the one hand to ensure a balanced blood pressure and on the other hand to protect against heart disease. Chia seeds also help repair damaged tissue, prevent diabetes and help flush harmful bacteria out of the gastrointestinal tract.
» Antioxidants:
When it comes to anti-aging remedies, most people prick up their ears. The antioxidants contained in chia seeds are responsible for the anti-aging effect. These protect our cells from external influences (such as UV radiation), which accelerate skin aging. The antioxidant properties of chia seeds are even better than those of goji berries or blueberries.
Chia seeds help you lose weight
Chia seeds have attracted attention not only because of their he althy ingredients, but above all because of their supportive effect on weight loss. This is because this food keeps you full for a long time, so you can easily reduce your food intake without feeling hungry all the time.
To do this, the seeds simply have to be softened in water before use so that the so-called chia gel is formed (see picture). Due to the consistency, the gelled seeds then fill the stomach for a very long time. In addition, the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar is slowed down. This keeps the energy in the body longer, which primarily benefits athletes.
Grow your own chia
Well, are you curious? Then simply buy the seeds at a he alth food store. Or you can grow Chia (Salvia hispanica) yourself. Here's how to do it:
» Step 1:
You should bring the chia seeds indoors in the spring (reading tip: Sow seeds - 4 easy ways presented). One is optimalprecision sowing. You should only cover the seeds with a little soil and then keep them moist. However, you should definitely avoid waterlogging!
» Step 2:
Once the plants have reached a size of about 5 centimetres, you can plant them in the garden. The location should be sunny to semi-shady.
Tip: You can also transplant the chia plants into tubs. However, you should then make sure that the bucket never gets waterlogged.
» Step 3:
Now it's time to wait. In September, the chia plants will bloom beautifully. You can then harvest the seeds in autumn (September to November).