6 Superfoods to Detox Your Body-CHIA SEEDS

 Written By ~ Karen Mia

"Detox” is an often-misunderstood word, and here’s why: society has generally taught us that in order to detox, we need to invest in pricey store-bought detox regimens and enemas or starve ourselves and drink nothing but water for a month. I will not deny that certain products on the market may be legit, and a short doctor-approved water fast can potentially assist in flushing toxins from the body; thanks especially to the little-known process called autophagy. Yet, as it is said: “there is more than one way to skin a cat” – yes, I know this is a vegan site, but you get my drift.

Our definition of “detox” is not defined by these methods, but equates to limiting ingestion of processed, toxin-laden food, and ramping up consumption of superfoods. Those two things alone will result in our bodies spontaneously undergoing a completely natural detoxification process.The last two items on our list may or may not be known to you-they are relatively unknown to much of the population. Yet they are powerful foods boasting incredible detoxification potential, so we are proud to feature them here. In this article, we discuss a food that has been around for quite a while, although its impressive benefits have largely remained a secret, until recently.

Its Chia Seeds! 

Good Things Come in Small Packages

These little seeds are small, we certainly can’t argue with that. Yet we must be careful not to underestimate the nutritional powerhouse contained within their tiny walls. For instance, it truly is incredible to think that these tiny little specks of matter are the best-known - and highest - plant-based source of omega fatty acids.

These seeds are highly versatile. They can be soaked and added to oatmeal, juices and yogurt, made into pudding, used in baked goods, or sprinkled on top of salads or other dishes. Chia seeds have become quite popular amongst the vegan and health-conscious community. Because of their ability to hold water and become gelatinous, they have become a common choice as a vegan egg replacement. Speaking of which, check out our vegan recipe for energy bites below!

They can even be used as decoration! If you lived through the 80’s and 90’s you probably remember the extreme popularity of Chia pets-those cute little houseplants, molded into various shapes and referencing the pop culture of the time-the bust of an American president or a pop star for instance, or maybe a cute little animal. The magic sprouts that resembled human hair or fur were achieved by spreading a chia seed mixture onto their terracotta base and waiting for them to grow. Perhaps the popularity of the Chia Pet was a sign of things to come.

Ch-ch-ch-chia

Yes, chia has indeed gained quite a following over the last 30 years or so, but did you know that these micro seeds have been a part of human diets for over 5,000 years?

The first historical documentation of chia seeds dates back to 3500 B.C., in the Mesopotamian countries; the location of modern-day Mexico and Central America. As a food with an enormously long shelf life, it was one of the main sources of food within the Mayan empire.

The Mayans considered chia seeds a staple food, and their word for them, “chiabaan,” translates to “strength” in English. Mayan warriors even relied on chia seeds as their sole food source when traveling long distances. They would carry a small pouch at their waists, providing complete nutritional sustenance for days, which allowed them to continue their journey without having to stop to eat.

Following the Mayans came the Aztec civilization, where the mighty chia seed continued to serve multiple purposes. It was ground to make flour, added to beverages, pressed to extract oil, and of course, was in heavy rotation for medicinal uses. Additionally, the chia seed held great religious significance for the Aztecs, who revered it as sacred and utilized it as a sacrificial offering in their religious observances.

Once the Spanish conquests of the 15^th and 16^th centuries took place, however, the chia seed entered a long period of obscurity, essentially disappearing for a couple centuries.

Fast forward to the 20^th century, and chia began to regain some of their former glory as many began to re-discover the incredible potential that is encapsulated within these tiny little seeds. These days, chia is grown and consumed commercially in its native Mexico and Guatemala, as well as Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Chia Growth 

Chia seeds come from salvia hispanica plant, a member of the mint family native to Central America. The plant grows to be quite beautiful, containing violet and white tube-like flowers. Black and white chia seeds are both grown from this plant and offer the same taste and nutritional benefits. They also create a cool mosaic type design when placed in a jar or bowl. Brown seeds indicate that they have not yet matured.

Although chia seeds can be grown in many areas around the world, they are native to equatorial regions and thrive in full sun and temperatures above 85°F. Achieving initial flowering can be challenging, usually due to issues with temperature regulation, but once established, they are a "fuss-free" plant, requiring minimal maintenance.

Depending on the type of seed, winter chia should be sown in the fall for an early summer harvest, while summer chia should be sown in late spring for a harvest in late summer or fall. These plants can be grown in pots, but because their growth may be limited with this method, it works best if the sprouts are used as microgreens. This way, the health benefits of chia can be enjoyed without the need to plant in a garden.

Nutritional Properties
Per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Calories	486
Carbohydrates	42.1 g
Fat	30.7 g
Dietary fiber	34.4 g
Protein	16.5 g
omega‑3	17.8 g
omega‑6	5.8 g
Thiamine (B1)	0.62 mg	52%
Riboflavin (B2)	0.17 mg	13%
Niacin (B3)	8.83 mg	55%
Folate (B9)	49 μg	12%
Calcium	631 mg	49%
Iron	7.7 mg	43%
Magnesium	335 mg	80%
Manganese	2.72 mg	118%
Phosphorus	860 mg	69%
Potassium	407 mg	14%
Zinc	4.6 mg	42%
Water	5.8 g

 Health Benefits

Bone and Muscle strength

Chia seeds are high in calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are all essential nutrients important for bone health, specifically bone mineral density, an indicator of bone strength. The body absorbs these nutrients much more readily through food in comparison to over-the-counter supplements.

We all know that protein=healthy, strong muscles, right? Well, chia seeds are a complete protein, meaning that they contain all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot make by itself: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Each of these compounds serves a set of specific purposes, which we will not cover in depth here. However, let’s just say they are considered “essential”.

Weight Loss-Especially Visceral Fat

Just like anything else, Chia seeds are by no means a magic solution to weight loss. Adding chia seeds to your diet is unlikely to cause weight loss on its own, but they can be a helpful addition to a balanced and nutritious diet if you’re trying to lose weight.

The fiber and protein in chia seeds and the high content of chia seeds are about 20% protein, and 35% fiber by weight, far exceeding the content in other foods, such as figs and almonds, notorious for being rich sources of both. It has long been suggested through scientific studies along amongst the medical community that consuming foods with high protein and fiber contents can help prevent obesity by reducing appetite and increasing satiety. What's more, fiber, along with the omega fatty acids found in the seeds, can specifically aid in the breakdown of stubborn belly fat, possibly due to their correlation in reducing stress, inflammation and accelerating metabolic processes within the body.

Aids in Prenatal Health

Chia seeds can aid in your growing baby’s brain development, replenish nutrients lost throughout pregnancy, and increase energy levels. Being that pregnant women are cautioned about the high mercury levels in certain fish, chia is an ideal substitution because of its high omega-3 content. It is also a suitable source of omega for vegan mothers to be.

Also, as previously mentioned, these seeds help keep the blood sugar levels under control and may help abate the development of gestational diabetes. It is very important to note that, as with nearly everything, chia seed consumption during pregnancy should be balanced along with other nutrient sources, and always check with your physician before making drastic changes to your diet.

Positive Effects on Mental Health

 There are several hypotheses as to why regular consumption of chia seeds has been shown to have a positive effect on mental health. In fact, there are so many that we cannot possibly list them all, but if you would like to read more on the subject, click here. 

Omega-3 unsaturated fats can play a huge role in supporting healthy mental capacity and an overall sense of well-being. These fatty acids assist in maintaining cell membranes and promoting strong brain synapsis, essentially keeping our brain communication system running optimally. This is especially true in cases of depression which may be caused by immunological or neurotransmitter abnormalities, such as serotonin deficiencies.

What’s more, the combination of these omega 3’s, along with chia's high levels of antioxidants and fiber, form a triple threat that keeps energy levels more stable, aids in mood regulation and reduces general anxiety. 

Lastly, remember the term “oxidative stress” (cell damage) that we have referenced several times in this series? Well, brain cells are certainly not immune to the inflammatory responses often caused by free radicals running wild in our bloodstreams. Indeed, increased neuroinflammatory pathways have been found - through MRI scans and other measures - in a high number of patients with diagnosed mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder and are assumed to play a direct role in their symptoms.

Thus, foods with anti-inflammatory properties, like chia seeds, can have a direct impact on inhibiting inflammatory secretions, therefore contributing to a decrease in symptoms of mental illness such as fatigue, hopelessness and chronic brain fog.

Detoxify With Chia

Chia Pudding

- 2 tablespoons chia seeds

- 2 Tablespoons honey or your favorite sweetener

- ½ cup almond or soy milk

Directions

- Add the chia seeds, sweetener and milk to a mason jar or other container with a lid.

- Close the lid tightly and shake well. Wait 10 minutes, then shake again, making sure to shake out any clumps.

- Refrigerate for at least an hour, though overnight will allow the pudding to thicken better.

- Stir in berries, nuts, granola, sweet spices or any other preferred topping. Enjoy!

 

Chia-Berry Jam

- 1 1⁄4 cup frozen wild blueberries

- 1 1⁄2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

- 1 tablespoon chia seeds

- 1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger

- ½ tablespoon lemon juice

- 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

- In small saucepan over medium heat, add blueberries and maple syrup. Stir and cook the blueberry mixture for 10 minutes. Use a potato masher to mash blueberries.

- Next, add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and continue to cook and stir for about 2 to 3 minutes or until blueberry mixture resembles a jam consistency. Remove from heat and blend in vanilla extract. Refrigerate and use within a week.

 

Chia Seed Energy Bites-Vegan and Gluten/Sugar Free

* Chia seeds make a great egg substitute!

- 1 cup oats

- ¼ cup chia seeds

- ¼ cup flax seeds

- ¼ cup almond butter

- 1.5 tsp cinnamon

- ¼ cup agave nectar/honey/stevia leaf (based on preference)

- ⅓ cup raisins

Directions

- Preheat oven to 375° F.

- Place oats, chia seeds, and flax seeds in a blender and pulse until mostly ground.

- Pour this mixture into a mixing bowl along with the almond butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, and raisins. Mix well. Use a dash of water if ingredients do not stick together.

- With damp hands to prevent sticking, roll 1 tbsp of mixture at a time into balls, placing on parchment lined baking tray.

- Gently flatten the balls with a fork or the underside of a glass.

- Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

- Let cool completely before removing from tray.

- Store in an airtight container – shelf stable or in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

 

Vitamin Infused Hair Conditioning Gel

- 1/2 cup chia seeds

- 4 cups filtered water

- Aloe vera gel (fresh or bottled)

- Argan Oil

- 5-10 drops of Vitamin E oil

- Your favorite essential oils for scent (optional)

Directions

- Soak chia seeds in water overnight or for at least two hours.

- The seeds should now have a gel-like consistency. If they don’t, add more water and soak them for a little longer.

- Remove excess water by straining the seeds with a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

- Add argan oil, aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil and essential oils to drained seeds and mix well.

- Apply finished product to clean hair as a conditioning mask, leaving on for about 30 minutes, followed by a cool rinse. Use it once or twice a week. Can also be used as a natural styling product if compatible with your hair type.

- Store the gel in a clean, airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

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That about wraps it up. We sure hope that you have enjoyed all the information we have presented you with so far. We have one featured superfood left, which we will be presenting to you very soon. In the meantime, if you are craving some ready-made food as medicine, go check out our shop! We offer all sorts of healthy homemade elixirs designed to help set you on the path to prime holistic healing.

Chia next time folks!

~ K.M.

***All content shown on this website is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is never intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. If you need medical care, please consult with a licensed medical professional.