Chia
Thanks to its powerful nutritional benefits, chia (Salvia hispanica L.), a tiny, gluten-free seed that has existed for hundreds of years, has recently re-emerged as a true “superfood”.
But why?
Chia is an excellent source of dietary fibre, both soluble and insoluble. Fibre is important for gastrointestinal health and proper elimination, and helps to maintain healthy blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels. When added to K’s NRG, chia acts as a bulking agent, ensuring slower digestion and a stabilized slow rise in blood sugar. In this manner, chia controls cravings and creates a sense of fullness, which may assist in weight management.
Chia is loaded with antioxidants and micronutrients. When measuring nutrients gram for gram, chia has six times more calcium than whole milk, three times more iron than spinach, the potassium content of one and a half large bananas, fifteen times more magnesium than broccoli, as much vitamin C as seven oranges, and three times the antioxidant capacity of blueberries! In addition, chia contains naturally occurring folate, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and more protein than soy.
Chia is one of the highest known whole food sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are essential to overall good health, in that they regulate heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting and immune function, while at the same time support mental health and reduce inflammation.
Clearly, chia seed creates exceptional possibilities for the improvement of human health and nutrition.