chia seeds

It is odd that the seed known to us for so long only as the “Chia Pet” is now considered such a valuable dietary supplement. Long a staple crop in Mesoamerica, Chia seed is now beginning to enjoy a wide appreciation of it very long list of beneficial qualities. Whether used only as a slight supplement to the diet, or as a major addition, almost everyone can find their physical condition improved by the use of Chia Seed.

Chia is a member of the mint family, Salvia Hispanica. Use of Chia was suppressed after the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, but remnant plantings were always made, often in isolated areas. The rediscovery of this plant is due mostly to the Northwestern Argentina Regional Project. Rescuing Chia Seed from oblivion and making it known to the world at large has proven very successful and the benefits of Chia Seed are becoming available to everyone.

As a dietary supplement, Chia Seeds can be used in many ways. One of the easiest ways to use Chia Seed is as a beverage. As the seed absorbs liquids in a proportion of 30 times its weight, several tablespoons of Chia Seed dissolved in your favorite juice will provide a refreshing and healthful morning beverage. You need only wait for 15 minutes before the Chia is completely dissolved.

Children and babies can also benefit from Chia Seeds. To boost the nutritional value of the food and formula of an infant, prepare the Chia Seed as a gel and add it to the foodstuffs. Milkshakes and almost any drink for children can have their protein value, among other things, increased by the addition of Chia Seed gel.

Ground up Chia Seeds can also be added to almost any food to make it more nutritional. You can even sprinkle the Chia flour on meat to improve its value. In fact, Chia Seed flour can be added to almost any food imaginable, since it adds little or no flavor of its own. When baking bread or almost anything, ground Chia Seed can be put in to make your baked goods to add to their food value. When used with any food, Chia Seed, in whatever form, will help promote digestive health and aid in the absorption of nutrients.

Chia is also very useful to runners and other athletes as its high ratio of energy to weight and will provide a sustaining beverage, when first prepared as a gel and mixed with juice. Chia helped keep Aztec warriors running while on their missions of war, and is still helping long distance runners today in their more peaceful sport.