Chia contains a high amount of fiber, approximately 7 grams of fiber in a 25-gram serving of seeds. It also has minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and zinc. All of the essential amino acids are included, except for taurine. The antioxidant content is higher than that of blueberries, and chia seeds also have more iron than spinach and more calcium than cow\'s milk. They have twice the protein of other seeds and grains.
Digestion and Metabolism
Adding chia seeds to water creates a gel within about half an hour. This reaction also happens within the digestive system, where it slows digestion of carbohydrates and their conversion into sugar. This helps to regulate blood sugar and prevent wild peaks and dips. The gelatinous mixture also helps clean the digestive tract and can provide a feeling of fullness that can aid in weight loss.
Omega-3 Content
Chia seeds have a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids than flax seed, one of the primary vegetarian sources for omega-3s. They also beat kiwi seeds and perilla, which have an even higher omega-3 content than flax. According to some experts, chia actually has the highest content of omega-3 oil. Dr. Wayne Coates also promotes chia as a balanced source of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.