Chia Seed Water Benefits: Hiya To Chia!

Chiya, in the Mayan language, means strength. Originally, chia seeds were cultivated in México and can be dated back to the Mayan and Aztec cultures. Scientifically known as Salvia Hispanica, these seeds started being in demand in many countries.

These seeds were used by the Aztec warriors for endurance. They claimed that it could sustain them for twenty-four hours. The Aztecs considered chia seeds sacred and have mystical powers. They often used them as an offering in religious rituals. Due to its popularity, Aztecs are said to have used chia seeds as currency.

For those of you who have not heard about or tried Chia seeds which are a treasure house of health, let me walk you down the easy path to weight loss, health, and much more chia seed water benefits! 

Chia Seed Water Benefits: Benefits Of Starting The Day With This Fiber-Rich Drink!

Chia seeds are tiny, black and white seeds rich in omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins, and everything nutritional. They aid bone, tooth, heart, skin, and gastrointestinal health. Unlike other seeds, omega-3-rich chia seeds can be consumed raw. Chia seeds contain fiber, proteins, unsaturated fats, and antioxidants. It contains calcium, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B, iron, and magnesium. It also contains nine essential amino acids

Drinking chia seed water for weight loss benefits by staving off hunger is the latest buzz in social media as an emerging health trend.

If you come to know the chia seed water benefits, you are going to open the app to an online store you frequent and order a packet right away. Seriously!!

1. Chia Seeds In Water Are Anti-inflammatory

Chia seeds are supposed to act against chronic inflammations due to the antioxidant in them called caffeic acid, which offers an anti-inflammatory effect. A study concludes that having 37 grams of chia seeds daily can reduce inflammatory markers in the body. Increased inflammatory markers are an indication of inflammatory disease in the body.

Unhealthy lifestyles like smoking, junk food, and a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Chia seeds contain anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent arthritis.

2. Chia Seeds In Water Support Bone And Tooth Health

The chia seeds are rich with high levels of calcium phosphorus and magnesium levels which helps keep your bone and tooth strong. Many studies do point out that diets enriched with chia seeds help bone density and prevent osteoporosis(1). Chia seeds also contain phytoestrogen, like other seeds including flaxseeds, that are shown to help prevent bone loss as we age, especially during the postmenopausal stage.

3. Chia Seed Water Benefits: Control Blood Sugar

Chia seed is found to support the blood sugar equilibrium in the body, helping the regulation of blood. Chronically elevated blood sugar levels are associated with type-2 diabetes, heart disease, insulin resistance, and obesity. Drinking chia seeds in water first thing in the morning will set the pace for the blood sugar levels the whole day. Chia seeds reduce and stabilize blood sugar levels, aiding in increasing your insulin sensitivity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, chia seeds are voted as one of the foods useful in controlling diabetes and blood pressure among diabetic patients (2).

4. Chia Seeds In Water Control High Blood Pressure

The antioxidant compound named chlorogenic acid will help reduce high blood pressure in the body. Chia seeds are also packed with potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which help to maintain healthy blood pressure levels. There are scientific studies that prove that chia seeds can reduce and regulate blood pressure levels.

5. Chia Seed Water Benefits For Skin

The fatty acids in chia seeds help damage skin, relieve skin irritations, and drinking chia seeds in water will provide enough hydration to keep the skin soft and supple. Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, which help slow down the signs of aging. The Omega-3 fatty acids in the chia seeds increase circulation and reduce skin inflammation. It also prevents dry skin and sagging skin. A study in Manchester points out that Omega-3 helps protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation.

6. Chia Seeds In Water Benefits Heart Health

Heart health suffers due to many factors, like inflammation, excessive weight gain, and high blood pressure. Chia seeds contain a decent amount of soluble and nonsoluble fiber, which will help to lower blood pressure. Soluble fiber helps to lower cholesterol, thereby reducing your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Chia seeds are rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, which are highly supportive of heart health. Alpha linoleic acid (ALA) is an essential fatty acid that the body needs but cannot manufacture on its own. So it has to be sourced from the food. As per the article on chia seed water benefits, chia seeds help in increasing the levels of ALA in the body.

Some studies point out that chia seeds help in regulating blood pressure levels, which in turn reduces the risk of coronary heart diseases. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics finds adding chia seeds to the diet helpful in regulating cholesterol levels.

7. Chia Seeds In Water Give Us A High Dose Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids And Nutrients

Chia seeds in water are nutritional dynamite rich in micro and macronutrients. Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain eleven grams of fiber, five grams of protein, and nine grams of unsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids. The Omega 3s reduce triglycerides, which is a type of fat in the blood and thereby reducing the risk of arrhythmia(irregular heartbeat), low blood pressure, and slowing down the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. It also is a source of magnesium, calcium, manganese, potassium, thiamine ( vitamin B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (vitamin B3), and vitamin C. 

8. Chia Seeds In Water Provide Antioxidants To The Body

Antioxidants help prevent or slow down cell damage caused by free radicals. If uncontrolled, free radicals cause cell damage, accelerating aging and bringing diseases to the body. Chia seeds contain antioxidants like quercetin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol, and myricetin, which all are proven to prevent the onset of cancer. These antioxidants further protect the heart, and liver, provide immunity and retard the aging process. The high antioxidant content is what extends the shelf life of the chia seeds.

9. How To Use Chia Seeds In Water For Weight Loss?

Chia seeds are rich in soluble fiber, which absorbs water and expands in the stomach, slowing down the absorption of food by keeping your stomach full for longer periods. This will support you in your weight loss by preventing overeating.

10. Drinking Chia Seeds In Water Benefits Digestive Health

Next among the list of chia seed water benefits are that the fiber present in chia seed water helps to reduce bloating, and constipation, thus helping to improve the digestive health of the person. Two tablespoons of chia seeds mixed in water provide about eleven grams of dietary fiber, which provides half of a female’s requirement.

Needless to say, dietary fiber-rich chia seeds are a natural laxative. Soaking the chia seeds turns them into a gel, which is the soluble fiber that helps bulk the stools and feeds the friendly bacteria for gut health.

11. Chia Seeds Are Rich In Manganese

Manganese is another magic ingredient in chia seeds, rich in antioxidant properties, which help in managing arthritis, diabetes, and epilepsy. It also hastens wound healing and improves metabolism.

12. Chia Seeds In Water Benefit The Weight Loss Goals

If you are looking for a superfood that aids weight loss, then chia seeds will be your powerful ally. It helps to boost the metabolism and makes you feel satiated enough to prevent you from bingeing. They are also found to reduce belly fat.

Adding two tablespoons of chia seeds in water and drinking it like a tequila shot before the seeds absorb the water and swell. This will help in the swelling of the seeds by the absorption of water in the stomach, helping you to feel full. So logically, this ultimately leads to weight loss. In a study that took place in Brazil, chia seeds were found to play an important role in reducing body fat and stomach overhanging.

13. Chia seeds In Water Are A Great Pre-workout And Post-workout Drink

Chia seeds in water taken before the workout give us a boost of energy and stamina to survive the workout. It provides fuel to the body after the carbs are burnt off. As a post work out drink, it helps in providing the protein that helps tissue repair. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a high-protein diet can reduce hunger pangs and give a feeling of satiety. Chia seeds contain high-quality proteins with all the necessary amino acids, making them a superfood.

14. Chia Seed Water Benefits: Sleep

Serotonin and melatonin are the two hormones that induce sleep. These are produced by the amino acid, tryptophan. Chia seeds are rich in tryptophan which aids in quality sleep.

15. Chia Seeds Are A Significant Source Of Plant-based Protein

Proteins are said to be the building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, and blood. It helps in the growth and repair of tissues, enzymes, and the production of hormones. It helps to reduce appetite and cravings, helping you lose weight and to prevent mindless snacking, which can lead to weight gain. With two tablespoons of chia seeds, you get around five grams of protein.

How To Drink Chia Seeds In Water?

• Breakfast Cereal: Chia seeds soaked in water and left overnight in the fridge, can be topped with fruits and nuts of your choice, sprinkled with cinnamon or vanilla extract can give the breakfast cereal a twist.

• Chia Meals: Chia seeds can be sprinkled on your smoothies, curries, or salads to put extra proteins and healthy fats into your meals.

• Chia Lemonade: chia seed and lemon water benefits are huge. Soak chia seeds in water, mixed with the juice of one lemon and a sweetener of your choice, which will make you a great lemonade.

• Soup Thickener: According to this article chia seed water benefits, soak chia seeds in water and allow the gel to be mixed in soup and gravies, instead of flour, and bring in the richness of omega-3, 

• Smoothie: Mixing chia seeds in water and adding them to your smoothie benefits the consistency of the smoothie by making it richer and creamier, not to mention healthier with protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

• Gelatine Substitute: Mixing chia seeds in water and blending it makes for a nutritious egg substitute while baking. Chia seed water is also a great substitute for gelatine. They usually make gelatine from animal bones. Hence, chia seed water is a vegan substitute for gelatine.

• Salad Dressing: Soaking chia seeds in water to add them to your favorite salad dressing will bring wonders to your health. It is a great addition to mayonnaise, yogurt, or hummus.

• Chia Pudding: Chia pudding can be made by mixing chia seeds in water or milk and left to refrigerate for three to four hours before topping them with raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, or any fruit of your choice.

• Chia Crackers: Chia seeds blended in water to a fine consistency, mixed with flour, spices, and salt can be rolled out and baked into crackers or flatbread.

These are just some recipe suggestions. Chia seeds are that versatile to be incorporated into any dish. Another plus is that it is gluten-free. Gluten is a protein found in cereal grains. It is known to cause allergies and gluten intolerance.

Chia Seed Water Benefits: The Best Time To Consume Chia Water!

What is the best time to drink chia seeds for weight loss? The magic potion the fitness experts swear by is ideally had in the morning. You could mix a tablespoon of chia seeds in a glass of water and gulp it down immediately to make sure it swells up in the stomach, helping you to feel full, which is how it primarily aids in the weight loss journey.  

But nutritionists suggest soaking chia seeds in water until it reaches a gel-like consistency by the absorption of water. Personally, I find it difficult to gulp it down in the morning. Hence, mixing it in smoothies or pudding or eating it with fruits as a twist to your brekkie cereal could help. You could soak chia seeds in water overnight and use them the next day by including fruits in them.

Benefits Of Chia Seeds For Women

In addition to the health benefits mentioned regarding the use of chia seeds in water, other benefits exclusive to women can be summarised thus:

 Weight loss is a goal for women, and chia seeds take care of it. So does skin benefit from chia seeds due to their rich micro and macronutrients, vitamins, and Omega-3 and Omega-6? In a report published by the UCSF Medical center, chia seeds are a good source of alpha-linolenic acid, which can prevent the onset of breast cancer. Women, especially post-menopause, develop osteoporosis and it is well taken care of with an intake of chia seeds in water, due to the high calcium content in it. It can help us with a burst of energy, especially after our monthly cycles and during PMS, due to its richness, packed with vitamins, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. 

We have our mood swings and we don’t hide them. Especially when you have the cotton rat tampon stuffed into the holy cave! Chia seed water benefits, when consumed daily, are said to enhance your mood. According to a Pittsburgh study, omega-3 fatty acids are associated with improved mood and behavior. Chia seeds are a rich source of antioxidants. Consuming chia seeds helps you fight depression- monthly or clinical.

Another chia seed water benefit is that. It is also great for pregnant women due to its contents, especially protein, and calcium, which help in the development of tissues and bones of the fetus.

Where To Buy Chia Seeds?

You can source your chia seeds from any local organic store or online. But you should make sure it is chemical-free and organic. Try reputed brands from reputed companies. Try to buy whole seeds and not ground ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

So now you know about the superfood that can make you glow, internally and externally, with perfect health! So guzzle down some daily! Here are cheers to great health, in advance… ????