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Derived from the plant Salvia hispanica L., chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and some vitamins and minerals. The seeds can then be pressed to extract a nutritious oil known as chia seed oil.
Chia oil is rich in omega-3s and minerals that benefit health in many ways.
1. Chia oil is Great for Heart Health
Chia seeds and oil is a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, fibers, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Alpha-linolenic acid presents in chia reduce the risk of heart diseases by dissolving different vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K in itself.
This will increase the efficiency of the body to take up these vitamins and protects the heart from different diseases.
Different studies also showed that chia protects the heart from different diseases by redistributing fats.
Also, chia helped in lowering blood pressure and regulates blood sugar. So chia plays an important role in cardiovascular protection.
The study also concluded that obesity leads to several diseases like hypertension, glucose intolerance, inflammation, heart diseases, and dyslipidemia. Thus chia oil, as well as, seeds are
Thus chia oil, as well as, seeds are a rich source of fibers and linolenic acid which help in maintaining body weight by distributing visceral fat and thus reduce the risk of heart diseases.
One another study also concluded that alpha-linolenic content of chia is beneficial to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. But, a proper mechanism for this is yet not known.
It reduces the number of triglycerides in the blood, the risk of irregular heartbeats, plaque formation, and high blood pressure. Thus protecting the heart from diseases.
2. Chia oil Benefits in Diabetes
Chia is also good for diabetic patients. Different studies showed that omega 3 fatty acid of chia is beneficial for diabetes.
The anti-inflammatory property of chia is very beneficial to cure diabetes.
A study was conducted on humans to show the effectiveness of chia in controlling the blood glucose level before and after a meal.
Controlled blood glucose levels also reduced chronic inflammation and blood pressure. Thus chia seeds are beneficial for diabetes and cardiac diseases.
Alpha-linolenic acid also helps in reducing C-reactive protein (an indicator of inflammation in arteries) and systolic blood pressure.
3. Chia lowers blood pressure
Chia is also beneficial in reducing blood pressure or the risk of hypertension. Omega 3 fatty acid is very beneficial in reducing high blood pressure.
As chia has a high amount of omega-3 fatty acid, it prevents the elevation of blood pressure.
A study on humans showed that chia can reduce blood pressure efficiently.
4. Chia improves liver functioning
Omega 3 fatty acid found in chia is also beneficial to protect our liver. Omega 3 fatty acid prevents lipotoxicity, fatty liver disease, and dyslipidemia.
A study on animals showed the mechanism that how chia seeds benefit in dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.
In this study, the omega-3 fatty acid of chia seeds prevented the lipotoxicity that infected the cardiac muscles.
Chia seeds prevented lipotoxicity generally by lowering plasma fats.
A study showed that the alpha-linolenic acid of chia redistributes the fats away from the liver and prevents it from diseases.
Thus lowering the risk of fatty liver disease.
Also, alpha-linolenic acid normalizes the activity of different enzymes in the liver.
5. Chia benefits in pregnancy
Omega 3 fatty acid is good for pregnancy. Chia oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid.
Alpha-linolenic acid is the precursor of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This acid plays an important role during pregnancy.
This acid is vital for the formation of the brain and eyes in the fetus.
A study on healthy pregnant women was conducted to show the conversion of alpha-linolenic acid into DHA.
Results showed that chia oil is beneficial for the production of DHA when taken during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Also, it increased the milk DHA content if consumed during the first three months of nursing.
6. Chia oil protects from cancer
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can prevent types of cancer like prostate, breast, and colon cancer.
Studies showed that the combination of medication and omega-3 fatty acid supplements could hasten the treatment of cancer.
Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3s and can help in cancer prevention. Chia oil contains more omega-3 fatty acids than chia seeds.
Studies showed that omega-3 fatty acids from chia oil reduce the size of tumors and also increase the rate of apoptosis and T-lymphocytes. Thus helping in treating cancer.
7. Chia can benefit rheumatoid arthritis
Omega-3 fatty acid has anomalous properties. Due to these properties, it can prevent many diseases.
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of those. Omega 3 fatty acid prevents rheumatoid arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory property.
A study on human showed that consuming omega-3 fatty acid for 3 months help in the reduction of rheumatoid conditions.
Thus omega-3 fatty acid supplements should be taken with rheumatoid arthritis.
Chia seeds give 2.5 g of alpha-linolenic acid in just one tablespoon. Thus chia seeds are also beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
8. Chia seeds boost energy levels
Omega-3 fatty acids in chia seeds are also efficient for boosting the energy of athletes.
Research shows that chia seeds drink is, as efficient as, a carbohydrate energy drink for boosting stamina in athletes.
9. Chia oil boosts antioxidant defenses
The antioxidant content of chia oil is more than that of chia seeds.
Antioxidant activity is expressed by different enzymes for example superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
Chia oil is very useful to induce the expression of these enzymes. Thus it promotes antioxidant activity.
10. Chia oil serves as a sweetener
Chia oil can also use in place of sweetener. Normally sucrose or other carbohydrate-rich sweeteners are used.
But chia oil act as a nutritive and beneficial sweetener.
A study was performed which showed that chia oil can act as a natural sweetener for making chocolate.
11. Chia oil resolves skin problems
Chia oil is one of the best oil for the skin. A study was conducted on patients infected with xerotic pruritus (a disease in which skin becomes dry and begins to crack). The patients had to apply chia seed oil for 8 weeks.
It was observed that chia oil improves skin hydration and reduced cracks. Thus chia oil can be used as an effective moisturizer for pruritic skin.
12. Chia oil prevents aging signs
As chia oil contains several antioxidants and also has an anti-inflammatory response, it makes an excellent anti-aging agent.
It can prevent the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and enlarged pores.
13. Chia oil act as a natural serum
Chia oil can also act as an excellent serum.
Just a few drops of chia seeds can provide shining and glowing skin. Regular intake of chia seeds can enhance skin radiance.
14. Chia oil is good for hair health
Chia oil is a rich source of proteins, copper, zinc, alpha-linolenic acid, and iron. These elements are necessary for the growth and strength of hair.
Copper induces the production of hair pigment, melanin, and alpha-linolenic acid help to neutralize the dry scalp, iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen and zinc helps in the production of new hair.
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