Fight Diabetes by Eating Chia Seeds
February 14, 2008
The powers of the Chia seed would make you dance like an Aztec too! (SXC photo)
Count Dave Jensen as one of the growing number of believers in the remarkable advantages of the Chia seed.
“You just can’t find a better food source in such a small package,” says the University of Pittsburgh faculty member.
The 25-year health-industry veteran writes on his “Health Insider” blog that the Chia seed is a “wonder food” that has shown significant results in helping to prevent the spread of diabetes and certain forms of cancer.
Along with the widely known concentration of Omega-3 and Omega-6, Chia seeds also contain high levels of Calcium and Vitamins A and D. Once considered so valuable to the Aztec culture that it was a form of currency, the Chia seed is on a major rebound thanks to the Oprah Winfrey Show, which recently espoused its wide-ranging health benefits. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a frequent Oprah guest, highlighted the grain’s marvels earlier in February.
According to the Nutrition Science Research Institute (NSRI), 40 grams of Salvia hispanica (the Latin name for the Chia seed) each day will lead to “significantly decreased systolic blood pressure” in diabetic patients. The Canadian Medical Association Journal writes that lowering blood pressure and treating hypertension is a key to decreasing the symptoms of diabetes, making the Chia seed important for the diets of many citizens around the globe. Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) projected that diabetes would see an incredible 39 percent increase from its 2000 levels by 2030.
Perhaps, the addition of nutrient-rich foods such as the Chia seed into our daily nutritional intake would curtail what could be an epidemic.








