PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: CHIA SEEDS are grown organically in southern Mexico. These tiny seeds are one of nature's perfect foods, containing essential fatty acids (an excellent vegetarian source of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid), protein, soluble fiber, protective antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Native Americans in what is now Mexico and the southwestern United States consumed the seeds of the chia plant for hundreds of years before the arrival of Europeans.
Chia was cultivated by the Aztecs, Mayas, Tehuantapecs, and other native American peoples. Chia Seeds are packaged in 1 pound (454 g) plastic containers.
NUTRITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS & APPLICATIONS: Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) contain oil amounts varying between 32-39%, with the oil offering the highest known natural percentage of alpha-linolenic fatty acid (60-63%). Alpha-linolenic acid is an essential fatty acid acting in the human body as a substratum for the transformation into EPA and DHA through the action of desaturation and elongation enzymes.
The seeds also contain some omega-6 essential fatty acids and exhibit a favorable omega-3 to omega-6 ratio of 3:2. Modern diets contain too few omega-3 fatty acids. The seeds possess 19-23% protein and the amino acids of chia protein have no limiting factors in the adult diet (i.e., they are a complete protein source having all of the essential amino acids in an appropriate balance). Chia seeds are also a good source of B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, boron, and copper. They also have demonstrated strong antioxidant activity. The most important antioxidants they provide are chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and flavanol glycosides.
Since oxidation is significantly delayed, chia has great potential within the food industry when compared to other alpha-linolenic acid sources, such as flax seeds, which exhibit rapid decomposition due to a lack of antioxidants. The human body easily digests chia seeds. The seed's outer layer is rich in mucilloid soluble fiber (chia possesses 5% soluble fiber) and absorbs more than seven times its weight in water. When mixed with water or stomach juices, the seeds form a gel that creates a physical barrier between the carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down.
The carbohydrates thereby are digested and converted into glucose (blood sugar) at a slow, uniform rate. There is no insulin surge or spike needed to lower the blood sugar level. The water-retaining capacity of the gel also maintains bodily hydration (i.e., helping level out water intake) and electrolyte balance. For more information, see James F. Scheer's The Magic of Chia: Revival of an Ancient Wonder Food (2001), and Ricardo Ayerza Jr. and Dr. Wayne Coates' Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of the Aztecs (Univ. of Arizona Press 2005).
NUTRITION INFORMATION:
- Serving Size: 15 g (2 tablespoons). Servings Per Container: 30
- Total Calories Per Serving: 78. Calories from Fat Per Serving: 44
- 2 tablespoons contain the following percentages of the Daily Value:
NUTRIENT AMOUNT % Daily Value*
- Total Fat 5 gm 8%
- Saturated Fat 0.5 gm 3%
- Trans Fat 0 gm
- Cholesterol 0 gm 0%
- Sodium 0 mg 0%
- Total Carbohydrates 5 gm 2%
- Dietary Fiber 5 gm 20%
- Insoluble Fiber 5 g
- Sugars 0 gm
- Protein 3.5 gm 7%
- Calcium 80 mg 8%
- Iron 1.1 mg 6%
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.