Chia seeds, dried

Chia seeds, dried

In the 21st century, chia is grown and consumed commercially in its native Mexico and Guatemala, as well as Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Australia. New patented varieties of chia have been developed in Kentucky for cultivation in northern latitudes of the United States.

The 16th-century Codex Mendoza provides evidence that it was cultivated by the Aztec in pre-Columbian times, and economic historians say it may have been as important as maize as a food crop. It was given as an annual tribute by the people to the rulers in 21 of the 38 Aztec provincial states. Chia seeds served as a staple food for the Nahuatl (Aztec) cultures. Jesuit chroniclers placed chia as the third-most important crop in the Aztec culture, behind only corn and beans, and ahead of amaranth. Offerings to the Aztec priesthood were often paid in chia seed.

Chia seeds are under preliminary research for their potential effects on health, but this work remains sparse and inconclusive. In a 2015 systematic review, most studies were of poor quality and did not demonstrate significant effects of chia seed consumption on cardiovascular risk factors. No evidence to date indicates consuming chia seeds has adverse effects on or interacts with prescription drugs.

Dried chia seeds Nutrition Facts: Calories, Carbs, and Health Benefits

Dried chia seeds are 5.8% water, contain 42.12% carbohydrates, 30.74% fat, and 16.54% protein. If you consume you will get 0 grams of carbohydrates. It is equal to 0 percent of the 130 grams of carbohydrates you should include in your daily diet. That same they have an energy value of 2034 kJ (486 Calories) in a 100 g (3.5 Oz) amount and contain several nutrients in rich amounts (20% or more of the DV), including Vitamin B3 (niacin) and Vitamin B1 (thiamin). So if your diet contains dried chia seeds, it helps your body to lower LDL cholesterol, improve functionality of the brain, overcome some heart diseases and it is effective against getting pellagra, certain types of schizophrenia and further brain deterioration after Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time they contain an appreciable amount of Manganese, Phosphorus and Magnesium attaining 151.28%, 122.86% and 108.06% of the Daily Value in a 100 g (3.5 Oz), respectively.