There are these little seeds, that you may not know about but they are called Chia Seeds. They come from South America and have been cultivated there as far back as 3500BC! These little black seeds are amazing for us Endo girls and really would benefit anyone. It is a fabulous super food!
8 Reasons why I believe Chia Seeds win over Flaxseeds:
1. Chia Seeds don’t have an estrogenic effect on our bodies. Unfortunately, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil have an estrogenic effect, which we want to avoid with Endometriosis.
2. Chia Seeds aid digestion in a different way. Flaxseeds are sold to benefit us due to their high roughage and fibre for the bowels. Chia Seeds do something far more crucial for our bowels. They provide a lubrication and hydration for the bowels, which helps build up good gut flora and makes passing bowels easier. This is often a great source of pain for us endo girls – so anything to make it easier is a benefit!
3. Rehydrate the body and maintain electrolyte balance
Chia Seeds can hold 12times their own volume in water and also have oil retention capacities. This means, they can provide us with extra hydration and level out electrolyte balance.
4. They help rebuild the gut wall
There is a condition called Leaky Gut Syndrome. Which basically means, the gut wall is damaged and we are not absorbing all the nutrients in our food. Chia Seeds offer a mucilage in the gut wall, which offer protective and healing abilities for the gut lining.
5. They are high in protein
The protein found in Chia seeds is easily assimilated by the body and helps with regeneration of our inner cells.
6. Richer and better source of Omega 3 than Flax Seeds
Chia seeds are a richer source of Omega 3 these oils will remain undisturbed even after 7years of storage. Flaxseed oil is often rancid which becomes an indirect toxin for the body. Omega 3 is crucial for our endocrine system, helping the thyroid, adrenals and reproductive system.
7. Full of good stuff!
Chia Seeds contain fat-soluble Vitamins A,D, E and K. They also contain good amounts of Calcium, Potassium, Biotin, Chromium and antioxidants Quercetin and Myricetin.
8. Regulate blood sugar levels
Due to the barrier they form in our digestive system, we are less likely to absorb the glucose into the blood stream as quickly. This helps regulate blood sugar and provides prolonged energy and helps with weight loss.
So, hands down, chia wins! Have you tried Chia Seeds? Do you currently use Flaxseeds? What are you thoughts? Do you agree? Disagree?
That’s okay. Curious what Kalonji or Nijella seeds are then? :) Maybe we should explore them….
Ok, so I was wrong it’s not kalonji or Nijella. I found some chia seeds today without even looking :) . Wonder how I missed it before. Going to try it out soon
I’ve been using milled chia seeds in my smoothies for the last 2 months & love them. The lady in the health shop put me onto them & said they were much better than flax seeds…
I love Chia seeds! I make Chia Gel by mixing 2 TBSP of seeds with 1 cup of water in a jar. Let it stand on the counter for 10 minutes then stir again and store it covered in the fridge. It will keep for a week. I put a few spoonfulls in my morning smoothies and find that it mixes in better than just putting the seeds in directly. I too replaced ground Flaxseed with Chia seeds because I was worried about the Estrogenic properties in Flax.
Ok, I know it as Kalonji seeds or Nigella seeds. Can also be taken in the form of an oil, kalonji oil.
Hi Safeera, not sure if they are called Nigella Seeds back in SA ;) Check out this explanation: http://mindexplorer.hubpages.com/hub/Chia Yes, the are small, black and slightly bitter when you eat them without preparing them in any way :)
Is there another name for Chia seeds? Never heard of it. Is it Nigella seeds? Small, black and slightly bitter? How does it taste?
Hi Mel,
In my mom’s home town Oaxaca, Mexico they prepare Chia water… it is made with lime juice, water and chia seeds… most of them use brown sugar to make it sweet, I personally leave the sugar out of the recipe… quite good… :)
That sounds interesting. Does it make it really thick? Just gave me an idea to make it in a chocolate smoothie!
Oh my gosh!!!! Awesome!!!!
I made it with Coconut milk, cinnamon, stevia drops, vanilla extract and chia seeds. Leave to stand for at least 15min in the fridge. I ate both of them today :)
I am ironically working on a recipe book for the Candida course right now. This is what i made today: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=270394519738322&set=a.267272936717147.56803.261061510671623&type=1&theater¬if_t=like
That looks yummy do can you post how to make it?I am not on facebook.Thank you.
I love chia seeds for all of the listed reasons. I even know people that feed them to horses. I would love some good recipes for them!
Great article. I love chia seeds! :) They are great! I add them to a lot of things. You can also use them as an egg substitute.