What is Chia Seed?



Chia seed came from the flowering plant called “Salvia Hispanica”. The Chia seed is a healthy and almost tasteless seed that resembles a black sesame seed. It is high on various nutrients such as fatty acid of omega 3 which can help your heart’s function. Chia seeds also contain antioxidants that can help your body fight free radical substances in your cells. It is also high in fiber which can help your digestive system and also believed to help in losing weight.

Do Chia Seeds really reduce belly fat?



Yes, Chia seed can help you reduce not just belly fat but the fat in your whole body. This is because of the high fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acid content of the chia seeds. The high fiber content of chia seeds improves your digestive tract and body metabolism. Also, when digested it converts into carbohydrates that help your body have the energy it needed. There is a misconception that carbohydrates can make you fat which isn’t true.

Protein, the protein can help our body build muscle and reduce fats in the body, it is also believed that eating food high in protein and fiber can make your stomach feel full and help you eat less without getting hungry, which results in losing more body fats.

The chia seed had alpha-linoleic acid or “ALA”, an Omega-3 fatty acid. It has been discovered that ALA is not only good for the heart but it also might aid in reducing body fat for some people.

How do you use chia seeds for weight loss?



The good thing about chia seeds is that you can mix it with every food you like. Some people preferred soaking chia seed with water and mixing it in their drinks like smoothies, but some people like drinking it with just water by mixing 1-2 tbsp of chia seeds with one cup of warm water and letting it soak for 20-30 mins, but there are some people who don’t like the texture of chia seeds if it was soaked for 20-30 munites only, so they soak it overnight to make the texture more acceptable. This decision is yours to make and depends on your preference. You can also mix chia seeds with your salads or any healthy foods that you like.

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

When should I consume or drink chia seeds?



Chia seeds can be taken during or before breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can also take it once, or twice a day. I don’t recommend taking it 3 times a day as excessive fiber intake might cause some digestive issues such as constipation, abdominal pain and bloating. Some people take it before their workout but the best time to take it is in the morning, 1 hour before you take your breakfast, because during this time your stomach doesn’t have much food to process and because of that your body can absorb the nutrient faster. It is also a good idea to take it before going to bed, and that is because drinking it before you sleep will help your body have a regular bowel movement and can also regulate your blood sugar because of chia seed’s soluble fiber.

Other health benefits of chia seeds



Prevent cancer and slow the process of aging – Chia seeds had antioxidants which help combat free radical substance in your body that can damage your cells and because of this, it can prevent cancer.

Slows down the aging process – Another effect of the antioxidant in the chia seed is that it slows down the aging process and makes your hair and skin look healthier. Also, check Lemon for body care.



Reduce the risk of heart disease and High blood pressure – The Omega-3 fatty acid in the chia seeds help your blood flow more smoothly and easily as it makes your blood thinner, making also your heart function properly.



Control blood sugar – Having diabetes can increase your chance of getting heart diseases, but this can be avoided by exercising, eating the right food and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A study shows that consuming chia seeds can help lower triglyceride in your body. It can also help in controlling your blood sugar level.



Reduce chronic inflammation – Inflammation in your body means that your body is reacting and fighting a bacteria or virus. Taking chia seeds helps reduce your blood inflammatory marker level.



Prevent Diverticulitis – Diverticulitis is a disease that can cause the lining of your intestine to have an inflamed pouch. Eating food high in fiber such as chia seeds can reduce the inflammation in the intestine. It also helps your body have a regular bowel movement.



Healthy Bones – Chia seeds are also high in calcium and believed to have more calcium than other dairy products. Calcium also helps our muscle to contract, making our heartbeat normal, and enable your blood to clot when you’re bleeding