5 interesting things about chia seeds

by Elias Wee

PACKED with nutrients, steeped in historical intrigue, endorsed by the hottest celebrities – chia seed is the quintessential superfood. According to Vogue, our obsession with superfoods – like chia seeds – began in 1990, with the publication of Michael van Straten and Barbara Griggs’ bestselling book Superfoods. You may have noticed your athletic friends, coolly strutting into the gym, carrying bottles of liquids suspended with these seeds. But what makes them so special?

They’re tiny but really nutritious!

Chia seeds are nutritional powerhouses. They are rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants and omega 3-fatty acids. Chia seeds are great plant-based sources of calcium and protein – about five times more than milk, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s  (USADA) National Nutrient Database. Allergic to gluten? No problem. Chia seeds are gluten-free too. Need that extra boost of energy? A study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research claims that chia seeds are “a viable option for enhancing performance for endurance events lasting [more than] 90 minutes”.

Where do chia seeds come from?

Chia seeds come from the Salvia hispanica L., a plant categorised under the mint family and is a native of Mexico and Guatemala. Salvia hispanica L. produces purple or white flowers. Its common name, chia, is derived from the Aztecs’ Nahuatl word chian, which means oily – unsurprisingly, since chia seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats. While chia is traditionally a crop grown in the Americas, today, it is also cultivated in Asia and Australia. Chia leaves contain a type of oil that repels insects too. This means that chia crops can be grown without or with less pesticide.

Can’t get enough of chia seeds? Here are five fun facts about chia seeds:

.

1. Pay the IRAS with chia seeds?

During the Aztec empire (1428-1521), chia seeds were prized as a food crop, just right behind corn and beans, according to Mr James F. Scheer, author of The Magic of Chia: Revival of an Ancient Wonder Food. He claims that, according to legend, chia used to be exclusively grown in an emperor’s compound, but was “smuggled” by different Aztec classes – merchants, crop growers, military men, nobility, healers – breaking the royal monopoly. It soon became a staple food in the marketplace. And according to Mr Scheer, it eventually became currency: “The emperor’s subjects paid their annual tribute to him, a form of taxes, with chia seeds. In time, chia seeds became legal tender.”

.

2. Replace eggs with chia seeds for baking

Are you vegan (or want to try being one)? But have shelves full of baking recipes that require eggs in every one of them? Fret not. According to veganbaking.net, one tablespoon of chia seeds and three tablespoons of water is the equivalent of one egg. When you grind the chia seeds and mix it with water, and let it settle for five to 10 minutes, it forms a thick gel that resembles the consistency of eggs. You may want to note the colour of chia seeds  – white or black – when baking. The black ones will be more visible. Chia seeds may be used in cakes, muffins, donuts and bread.

.

3. Love chia so much? Keep them as pets!

Ch-ch-ch-chia! Have you heard of this jingle before? Yes, Chia Pets are clay moulds, coated with chia seeds. The seeds sprout up to form a lush layer that resembles animal hair or fur. Now close to 40 years since it was first marketed by Joe Pedott, you have all sorts of Chia Pets – Chia Ram, Chia Kitten, Chia Scooby-Doo, the original Chia guy, and even Chia Obama! While you need to fill it with water, not much else is needed. The Smithsonian magazine writes that gifts like Chia Pets “ask next to nothing of their masters”, perfect for potential pet owners with “no interest in early morning walks, cage cleaning, litter boxes or veterinary bill”.

.

4. Celebrities and National Football League (NFL) players reported to consume chia seeds

In 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ray Rice, the then leading running back for the Baltimore Ravens, mixes chia seeds into his diet. It cited the 2009 best-selling book Born to Run, which claimed that chia seeds “were a preferred food of the Tarahumara Indians, who are able to run hundreds of miles barefoot without resting or eating all that much”. This historical narrative got Ray Rice to give chia seeds a shot. According to HELLO! magazine, celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Miranda Kerr, and Elle Macpherson also incorporate chia seeds into their diet, in the form of smoothies. Gwyneth uses chia seeds as part of her weight loss, detox smoothie regimes; Miranda believes they’re alkalising and nutrient dense; while Elle uses chia seeds as part of her “energising smoothies”.

.

5. Chia seeds can absorb water 27 times their dry mass

A 39-year-old man, living in the US, got sent to the emergency room in because his oesophagus got blocked by chia seeds, reported TIME magazine in 2014. He swallowed just one tablespoon of dry chia seeds, before drinking water. Then he had difficulty swallowing his own saliva. The chia seeds had absorbed water and expanded in size, forming a thick gel-like substance. Dr Rebecca Rawl, who treated the man, described the substance as having a “Play-Doh-like consistency”. Is eating chia seeds safe? They’re fine, but as Dr Rawl recommends, just soak the chia seeds in water to let them expand first before consumption.

Featured image Perfect lunch..coconut juice, strawberries, mango, pear and topped off with chia seeds. HEAVEN. by martakat83. (CC BY 2.0)

If you like this article, Like The Middle Ground‘s Facebook Page as well!

For breaking news, you can talk to us via email.

The post 5 interesting things about chia seeds appeared first on The Middle Ground.

- Elias Wee