, or the Spanish sage, today at the peak of popularity at adherents of healthy food and diets. The exotic plant really has the mass of useful qualities and as far as it is useful and where finds application — we will understand this article.
What is chia seeds
The chia plant — an annual plant of family mint, its name is translated from language of ancient Indians as force. Has a grassy branchy stalk up to 1 m high, with green large leaves of triangular shape. Blossoms white or purple-red flowers of an unusual form.
Fading, they form seeds: small, up to 1 mm, with a strong external thin skin, glossy, white or black color with chaotically scattered more dark impregnations. Color is caused by characteristics of the soil in which by a chia it was grown up. There are no differences in structure or properties. The homeland of a plant consider South America which ancient population applied seeds to inflow of forces.
Whether you know? Catholic monks of the Spanish award of Jesuits in the records claimed that this plant for Indians — on the third place after corn. Seeds are mentioned in a source as a money equivalent which at the tribe of Aztecs was accepted in payment of taxes or at other monetary calculations.
Chemical composition
- Protein, cellulose, fatty acids.
- Vitamins: And, B1, B2, B12, C, D.
- Macrocells: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium.
- Minerals: iron, selenium, manganese.
Caloric content of seeds of a chia — 486 kcal on 100 g of a product.
Than chia seeds are useful
Thanks to a large amount of food fibers the seeds well influence digestive process, accelerating a metabolism and release of energy from food.
Omega-3 acids which do not lose the properties even under the influence of high temperatures feed a brain and nervous system, increasing resistance to stress and concentration of attention. The same acids, sodium and potassium have positive effect on activity of a cardiovascular system. The vasodilating and strengthening actions prevent formation of cholesteric plaques, normalize arterial blood pressure.
The rich structure is useful to diabetics, especially the second type: the use of seeds lowers dependence of cages on insulin, regulates sugar level in blood.
Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium strengthen bone and muscular fabrics, promote their restoration at various injuries. Protect tooth enamel that is good prevention of diseases of an oral cavity. Grains are useful to elderly people as they reduce risk of osteoporosis and presenilation of cages.
Magnesium and phosphorus well influence reproductive function, stimulate production of sex hormones, increasing sexual inclination of both sexes, facilitate symptoms of a climax and PMS at women.
Ascorbic acid, Retinolum and vitamins of group B maintain immunity, central nervous system, stimulate work of a brain, improve memory and increase working capacity.
Minerals and vitamins B composition of grains of a plant positively influence work practically of all systems: nervous, immune, cardiovascular, digestive and blood.
As eat
There are many options of how it is possible to use chia seeds. Grains mill in flour, mixing from usual rye, corn or wheat, add to batter and fancy bread, impacting it unusual spiciness. In the same look use for thickening of gravies, sauces, kissels and cream soups instead of starch.
Ability to absorb moisture and to inflate, without being scattered at the same time, use in preparation of mousses, puddings and souffle. The whole grains serve as a stuffing for pastries, ingredient of salads, drinks, additive in porridges, the second and first courses. They are also used as a crumb for candies or a breading for meat products. Adherents of vegetarianism use grains as a protein source.
Whether it is possible for pregnant women and the feeding mothers
The use of seeds of a chia at pregnancy causes a lot of controversy and questions. However you should not forget that it is not medicine, and food product of plant origin. The product containing the mass of useful minerals and vitamins, the majority of which have to be present at a diet of the pregnant woman as take great interest in formation and development of a fruit. The same substances maintain health of future mother, strengthening protective functions of her organism, normalizing a hormonal background and work of the vital systems.
As for harm of seeds of a chia when breastfeeding — judging by their structure and action on an organism, here too it is more far-fetched. If, for example, to compare composition of grains to structure of walnuts, then they are almost identical. Nuts are recommended to nursing mothers for giving of nutritiousness and fat content to milk, for maintenance of the immune system of mother in the period of lack of vitamins.
Important! The only thing that needs to be remembered: not to use a product in large numbers and it is frequent, or having an allergy to any elements in structure. For clarification of an optimum dosage it is necessary to consult with the specialist doctor.
Chia seeds for weight loss
Nutritionists recommend to use chia seeds for weight loss. Let's understand, how exactly it is necessary to accept them for weight reduction.
The advantage for weight loss is explained by the high content of food fibers which accelerate process of digestion and a metabolism, and Omega-3 acids activate the special protein splitting fat. Despite the seeming caloric content, for full meal there is enough couple of teaspoons, these are about 10 g. The grains which are filled in with water or sour-milk a product, absorbing moisture, will increase in sizes to a full-fledged portion. At the same time the organism will receive both saturation, and necessary useful substances, and a minimum of fats and calories.
Important! At the use of dietary dishes from seeds of a chia it is necessary to observe water balance and to remember that it is not a panacea, and supportive application in a complex with healthy food and physical activities. The use of grains in large numbers can give boomerang effect.
Recipes of house cosmetology
In cosmetology actively use oil and extracts of seeds of a chia, making various skin care products of the face and hands, strengthenings of hair and nails.
In skin care products the following properties are shown:
- anti-inflammatory;
- regenerating,
- smoothing,
- rejuvenating,
- calming.
Creams and masks perfectly moisturize the skin, give it elasticity, I normalize work of sebaceous glands, removing thereby unhealthy gloss. Means on the basis of grains help to fight against small wrinkles, dryness and reddenings, age bags and circles under eyes.
In combination with oils of other plants (coco, jojoba, avocado) the chia is used for production of the strengthening and restoring masks for hair, it is especially useful for the hair weakened by coloring or chemical waves. Extract is a part of age hand cream, holding moisture in the upper layers of the skin. The chia prevents its dryness and presenilation, and vitamins B composition of oil feed and strengthen nails, soften a cuticle.
Learn more about useful properties of castor, corn, fir, coconut, linen oils, oils of grape seeds, stones of pomegranate, avocado, a cedar, a dogrose, a tea tree.
Moisturizing mask:
- 200 ml of natural yogurt;
- 2 egg whites;
- 10 ml of oil of a chia.
Mix of components is applied to the cleaned skin for 15 minutes, washed away warm water.
Srub for razdrazhimy skin:
- chia seeds — 15 g;
- coconut oil — 120 ml;
- lemon juice — 20 ml;
To apply to moist skin, to allow to be absorbed slightly and soft circular motions, easily rubbing, to clean a face. To remove with a cotton pad and to wash a face tyopy water.
Eyelid skin care: a small amount of oil of grains is applied for the night to skin around eyes. In a night it will be absorbed, eliminating dark circles and hypostases.
How to choose upon purchase
Main selection criteria:
- The goods have to have the certificate in which the producer and technology of cultivation is specified. That product which is grown up traditionally without GMO is useful.
- Color of seeds can be cream, brown, white, black. Red color has to guard - it is sign of immaturity.
- Size: seeds of the premiums are usually larger.
- Appearance: at the correct storage the product dry has also no unpleasant smell or spots.
Whether you know? Interest in grains of the Spanish sage was revived by Mila' brothers — Alfredo and Adolfo. Having found for the remained plant bushes in the deserted districts of Guatemala, they were engaged in selection works. After persistent 15 years' work culture called salby was removed.
How to store in house conditions
It is necessary to store chia seeds in the dry place, far from heating devices, in hermetically closed capacity. At the correct storage the product is suitable up to 2 years.
Contraindications and side effects
It is necessary to consider not only advantage of seeds of a chia, but also possible harm for an organism. It is not desirable to use a product at such states:
- hypotonia;
- to people with blood diseases;
- in the presence of oncology;
- for treatment of an oral cavity and bodies of a GIT;
- during administration of drugs diluting blood (their action can amplify);
- along with depletive.
At an allergy to mustard and sesame grains the probability of intolerance of a chia is high.
To exotic products dual relation: someone looks at them with unreasonable caution, and someone, having heard about superusefulness, uncontrolledly uses them. The first half should think that not all that is bad that is not familiar and is not habitual, and the second — to remember the truth golden mean. Any product, a plant or medicine at overdose causes negative reaction of an organism.