I hadn’t heard of Chia Seeds until about a month ago. My excuse is that I was out on Maternity Leave and this new ‘craze’ has all blown up in a very short time! However, Chia seeds have a rich history and a lot going for them so I think they are around to stay.
They originate in Southern Mexico, and were a significant component of Mayan and Aztec diets. They were used as a source of energy as well as a treatment for joint pain, sore skin and as a way of stimulating saliva flow.
From a nutritional perspective, they are an excellent source of Essential Fatty Acids, even more so than flax seeds. And because they have such a high antioxident content the oil stays fresh for a long time and unlike flax, they do not need to be ground for the oil to be ‘available’ to our bodies.
For the digestion, Chia seeds provide a rich dose of fiber, and when soaked quickly in water (5 minutes or so) they form a gel which is very soothing, and helps relieve constipation.
This gel also seems to slow down the absorption of carbohydrates which makes Chia invaluable to athletes, people trying to lose weight, and diabetics.
Added to water with lemon or lime juice they make a drink known in Mexico as ‘Chia Fresca’. They have a mild nut-like flavour and can be sprinkled on cereal, baked in bread or just downed in water.
I have found them to be a pleasant addition to my diet, and we are working on a new Health Bread with Chia, Spirulina Flakes, and other exciting ingredients! I’ll keep you posted – Hannah







