7 Conditions Chia Seeds Can Help With

Chia seeds are small high fiber seeds that are rich in nutrients. They are a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, important proteins, minerals and antioxidants. For this reason, chia seeds can help manage or reduce the risk of the following conditions:

Chia seeds contain key nutrients that promote heart health. These include omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, magnesium, phosphorus and copper. Consumption of chia seeds can help prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease such as cerebral vascular accidents and coronary diseases, a condition in which blood vessels are blocked and blood supply is stopped.

Chia seeds can help manage heart disease because they:

• Manage cholesterol levels: Eating chia seeds can help reduce the level of total cholesterol and low density lipoproteins (LDL), while increasing the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is nicknamed “bad” cholesterol because high quantities can cause an accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of the artery, increasing the risk of heart disease. On the other hand, HDL helps to eliminate blood cholesterol, so it is called “good” cholesterol which promotes heart health.
• Support the function of blood vessels: Magnesium in chia seeds is involved in many enzymatic reactions and the transport of other electrolytes, such as potassium, in cells. It encourages the widening of blood vessels and helps muscle contraction and appropriate pumping of the heart.
• Weaker inflammation: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are among the main omega-3 fatty acids, support the production of anti-inflammatory substances while lowering the level of substances that can induce inflammation. Inflammation can cause thickening, narrowing or damage to blood vessels.

If you have type 2 diabetes, your body cannot properly use insulin, hormone that regulates blood sugar. This can make your blood sugar (sugar) become too high.

The high fiber content in chia seeds can help you manage diabetes in three main ways:

• Reduce blood supper after meals
• Help you stay full
• Help your body respond to insulin hormone

Chia seed antioxidants also help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, two factors that can contribute to chronic conditions such as diabetes.

If you have constipation, it means that you poop less than three times a week, pass hard stools or have pain when you are poop.

Chia seeds contain insoluble fibers, a type of fiber that does not dissolve in water. Insoluble fiber adds volume to stool and promotes regular stools, helping the treatment of constipation.

Inflammatory arthritis is a group of chronic joint conditions which cause inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are two examples of inflammatory arthritis.

Chia seeds are a rich source of zinc, magnesium and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid. These nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve symptoms such as pain in people with arthritis.

Chia seeds can help manage gastrointestinal conditions, including those associated with intestinal inflammation and an imbalance in intestinal bacteria.

Due to their high content of soluble fibers, seeds can support the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria.

Micro-organisms naturally living in the large soluble fiber of fermentation of the intestine, forming gels that delay intestinal drain while loosening the intestine. Fermented fiber also produces metabolites such as short chain fatty acids, which promote a healthy intestinal lining.

Your diet plays an important role in your weight. Foods with a high glycemic index, which are foods that can quickly increase your blood sugar, can contribute to weight gain. Chia seeds have a low glycemic index, which means that they do not cause a rapid peak of blood sugar and may therefore not contribute to weight gain.

Chia seeds can also help manage weight by increasing fullness and abolishing appetite. These two things can help reduce the amount of calories you consume, promoting weight loss.

The SOPK is a condition caused by an imbalance of hormones in people assigned to birth. It generally affects ovaries and can cause symptoms such as irregular periods and cysts in ovaries.

There is no final remedy for the SOPK. However, food changes can help manage it. A food that can help is chia seeds. Chia seeds can help in two main ways:

• They can reduce chronic inflammation, which is common in the SOPK.
• Their omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can improve metabolic problems related to SOPK, such as type 2 diabetes, helping you lose weight and reduce blood sugar.