By Heather McCauleyYou’ve heard of it before. You’ve seen it sprout as ‘hair’ on silly animals or funny faces made of clay. You may have even received one as a gift for a birthday (ouch!). Regardless of how cute or corny you think Chia Pets are, the stuff they are made of can be called nothing short of amazing. The latest in a line of emerging superfoods, chia seed or salvia hispanica, has wellness and anti-aging experts such as Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Andrew Weil singing its praises.
Chia seed boasts a lofty and ancient history. Once fed to Aztec runners and warriors - sometimes their only food for days - chia was able to offer nourishment, energy and endurance. It was so prized by the Aztecs that it was offered as tribute to their priesthood and taxes to their royalty. But don’t let a rich history fool you – chia has almost magical qualities that make it a number one candidate for the food of the future. In addition to being gluten-free and safe for people living with Celiac’s disease, chia is sugar-free, trans-fat free, high in protein, fiber, antioxidants and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (of which it contains an ideal ratio). Chia seed is also able to absorb over 12 times its weight in water which makes it ideal in prolonging hydration in athletes or any other individuals. What happens when chia seeds are mixed into water is actually quite fun to watch. Within minutes, the mixture starts to turn gelatinous and in about an hour and with the correct ratio (and other ingredients), you have a delicious pudding – perfect for vegetarian, vegan and raw foodies.
The nutrient make-up and density of chia as well as its absorptive properties are enough to push this tiny seed to the front lines of the battle against world hunger. Equally remarkable are the number of conditions and ailments that chia seed has been known to help: heart health, weight-management, lubricates joints, eliminates toxins from joints and muscles, aids in healthy digestion, fights free-radicals, helps you feel full, manages blood sugar levels and improves the quality of hair, skin and nails. Chia is easily incorporated into any diet; you can add the seed to your smoothies or salads, bake it into cookies or muffins, experiment with recipes or even find some on the internet. Even if you don’t find a way to eat it, you could watch it expand in a glass of water or use it to grow hair – but only on heads made out of clay!
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