Chia Seeds: 10 Benefits, Recipes & Creative Uses

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Chia seeds can make a delicious and nutritious addition to just about any meal. Check out the 10 benefits and creative ways you can incorporate the superfood into your diet.

1. Combat Diabetes

According to The Huffington Post, chia can potentially be a treatment for type-2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion. It is also believed that the gelatinous coating of chia seeds can prevent blood sugar spikes.

Make this easy cherry chia seed pudding from Daily Burn.

2. Get More Fibre

The Huffington Post states that an ounce serving of chia already has 11 grams of dietary fibre and that's a third of the recommended daily intake for adults.

Check out these healthy gluten-free chia chicken tenders from Daily Burn. The chickens are breaded with chia seeds, ground flaxseed, Parmesan cheese and herbs for a healthier version of the classic recipe.

3. Packed with Omega 3

There are nearly five grams of omega-3 fatty acid found in an ounce serving of chia seeds, reports The Huffington Post. It is believed that there's better conversion of omega 3 into the blood with chia compared to flax seed.

Get the recipe for kale and farro salad with lemon chia dressing from BuzzFeed in this link.

4. Stronger Teeth and Bones

A serving of chia seeds has 18 percent of the recommended daily intake of calcium, reports The Huffington Post.

Check out this chia breakfast pudding from Daily Burn. To create the base for the nutritious breakfast bowl, soak chia seeds in vanilla almond milk the night before.

Check out this gluten free fresh blackberry oat bars.

5. Packed with Manganese

Manganese also aids in the absorption of essential nutrients like biotin and thiamin, reports The Huffington Post. One serving of chia seeds has 30 percent of the recommended daily intake of this mineral.

Check out this sticky chia brown rice with fried egg recipe.

6. Plenty of Phosphorus

Also helps in maintaining healthy bones and teeth, a serving of chia seeds has 27 percent of the daily recommended value, reports The Huffington Post.

Check out this chocolate and coconut chia seed mouse recipe.

7. Pack with Protein

A 28-gram serving of chia seeds has 4.4 grams of proteins, around 10 percent of the daily value. Also, it is a great source of protein since it doesn't contain cholesterol.

Try this chia oat pitaya super bowl.

8. Fight Belly Fat

Insulin resistance is linked to an increase in belly fat, reports The Huffington Post. The stabilizing effect of chia on blood sugar can help you shed off those belly fat.

You can still enjoy dessert with this banana-peanut butter chia seed muffin.

9. For a Fuller Feeling

Chia is also equipped with tryptophan, an amino acid that helps regulate appetite, sleep and improve mood, according to The Huffington Post.

Check out this grain-free chia buckwheat pizza you can enjoy over the weekend.

10. Improve Cardiovascular Health

Supplementing chia seeds for 12 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and blood glucose, reports Mercola. It can also increase healthy cholesterol while reducing the bad ones.

Freshen up with this serrano pineapple papaya smoothie with chia.

Check out this daily chia seed drink: