Chia The Power Food From The Aztechs

Said to have been a “power food” of the Aztecs, chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is being touted as the latest and greatest super grain. These seeds have more calcium than milk, more magnesium than broccoli, and more antioxidants than red wine, and each two-tablespoon serving is loaded with 4.2 g of fiber and 2.5 g of omega-3 fatty acids. Almost sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? It gets better. In a 2007 study published in Diabetes Care, researchers found that patients with type 2 diabetes who ate 37 g (about six tablespoons) of chia daily experienced a 32 percent reduction in levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation), a 10-point reduction in systolic blood pressure, and a 5-point reduction in diastolic blood pressure. Chia also had a positive effect on blood clotting factors and helped regulate glucose levels. These seeds can be eaten whole or ground like flaxseed and sprinkled on foods or mixed in drinks. They may also be used for baking. The brand of chia tested in the study was Salba. For information on where to purchase this product, visit salbausa.com