They restore, protect heart health and are useful in diabetes. Therefore considered a «superfood», chia seeds can be consumed in many ways. However, here we highlight 4 original and especially healthy ways to take chia seeds.

1. Chia with lemon: Mexican chia lemonade

The most frequent is mix them with water or juiceat a rate of 1 to 3 tablespoons depending on taste. In Mexico, fresh chia is taken in a lemonade to which chia gel is added.

If the seeds are soaked, In cold water, after an hour a gel forms and the seeds almost disappear. This gelation capacity makes them very appropriate in diets to reduce weight, cholesterol or diabetes.

It is generally consumed as a food supplement, adding it to juices, salads, creams, flours, sweets, smoothies, milk or yogurt.

2. As vegetable oil

Due to their richness in fats, chia seeds can extract a virgin oil which has the characteristic of being one of the richest in omega-3 fatty acids that they know each other.

3. Ground chia seeds: the flour that can be used to replace the egg

You can also take its flour (chianpinolli), toasted or defatted; It can replace other flours such as wheat flour, or be mixed with them.

Chia flour allowsamong other uses, replace the egg in various recipes that you want to veganize.

To make an egg substitute, mix four tablespoons of chia flour with a cup of cold water and let it rest for half an hour; thus we obtain the equivalent of half a cup of egg.

4. Germinated chia: how to sprout chia seeds?

Chia sprouts are delicious and very nutritious.

To prepare them, place the seeds on kitchen paper.distributed in such a way that there is some space between them, and moisten it.

It is convenient that they receive light, but not directly (to also prevent moisture loss).

After about three days changes are beginning to be seen.

They must be taken raw: in salads, toasts…

Nutritional properties of chia seeds

• Chia seeds contain up to 40% polyunsaturated fatty acidsespecially omega-3 (30%) and omega-6 (40%)in addition to being rich in long chain triglycerides.
• They are also extraordinarily rich in protein (20%) and fiber (25%), with a moderate carbohydrate content (13%),
• They are rich in mucilage of high hydrophilic capacity (one gram of seeds can absorb up to 12 grams of water).
• They also have abundant calcium and boron.

What are chia seeds used for? 4 reasons to integrate them into your diet

• For digestion. Chia seeds are very useful in cases of weak digestion, low weight or convalescence from illnesses. They are suitable for any age, but are especially recommended for children and the elderly. Due to their richness in mucilage, they are suitable for inflammatory processes in the digestive system such as gastritis.
• In diabetic people. Additionally, by reducing or delaying the absorption of fats and carbohydrates, they are an ideal complement for diabetics.
• To regulate cholesterol. Due to its high content of polyunsaturated fats, its regular consumption helps prevent cholesterol and, in general, cardiovascular diseases.
• To improve defenses. There are studies that relate them to a general improvement in the immune system.