Thursday, June 9, 2011

Chia Seeds drink

I've read and heard many many good things about this tiny little seeds. So I ordered a 2 pound bag at Amazon.com. It came yesterday. Before going to bed, I soaked 2 Tbsp of Chia seeds to a glass of water and left it on the counter top overnight. This morning, I add a little honey to give it a little perk. To my amaze, it tastes exactly like "nước hột é".

I am so excited about something that claims to have so many benefits for your health and also taste that good. You probably heard this before "if it tastes good, it's bad for your body". This is not applicable here. But, I have had only just one glass of Chia drink. I will continue drinking a glass every morning and will report back to you about the results. Stay tune!!!!!
Chia seeds is known to be a natural remedy for GERD (Gastro Esophagus Reflux Disease). It is high in fiber, both soluble and insoluble. The soluble fiber has been found helpful in lowering cholesterol and diabetes. It also has omega 3 and omega 6. It naturally has boron in them which transfers the calcium into your bones.
On one of the episode on Oprah Winfrey's show, Dr. Oz said "Chia seeds may be one of the healthiest things around". However, I've read somewhere that people who takes blood pressure medication, blood thinner or having heart disease should not try Chia. The article did say that Chia can lower blood pressure to the dangerous level. So, be cautious if you have any of the conditions mention above.
This is what I found on the net about Chia seeds.
“A “super” food that all would agree on. Once valued so much that it was used as currency, this unique little seed has exceptional nutritive and structural benefits.
            Chia, is familiar to most of us as a seed used for the novelty of the Chia Pet™, clay animals with sprouted Chia seeds covering their bodies. Little is known, however, of the seeds tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties. For centuries this tiny little seed was used as a staple food by the Indians of the south west and Mexico. Known as the running food, its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during the conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24hr. forced march. Indians running form the Colorado River to the California coast to trade turquoise for seashells would only bring the Chia seed for their nourishment.
If you try mixing a spoonful of Chia in a glass of water and leaving it for approximately 30 minutes or so, when you return, the glass will appear to contain not seeds nor water, but an almost solid gelatin. This gel-forming reaction is due to the soluble fiber in the Chia. Research believe this same gel-forming phenomenon takes place in the stomach when food containing these gummy fibers, known as mucilages, are eaten. The gel that is formed in the stomach creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar.
            In addition to the obvious benefits for diabetics, this slowing in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar offers the ability for creating endurance. Carbohydrates are the fuel for energy in our bodies. Prolonging their conversion into sugar stabilizes metabolic changes, diminishing the surges of highs and lows creating a longer duration in their fueling effects.
            One of the exceptional qualities of the Chia seed is its hydrophilic properties, having the ability to absorb more than 12 times its weigh in water. Its ability to hold on to water offers the ability to prolong hydration. Fluids and electrolytes provide the environment that supports the life of all the body’s cells. Their concentration and composition are regulated to remain as constant as possible. With Chia seeds, you retain moisture, regulate, more efficiently, the bodies absorption of nutrients and body fluids. Because there is a greater efficiency in the utilization of body fluids, the electrolyte balance is maintained.
Chia seed, a muscle and tissue builder and an energizer of endurance with extensive hydration properties, possesses none of the above disadvantage, and because of its physiochemical properties, supports effective treatment in immediate problems of digestion.  Exactly why this should be true may be puzzling at first.  However, if we consider the effect of unusual irritation upon the nerves of the gastrointestinal canal, it is reasonable the think that a less violent and more balanced digestion might quiet the activity of the otherwise hyperactive gut.  Inasmuch as the same foods, which formerly produced irritation, may frequently be continued without harm when hydrophilic colloids are used.   The relief to nerve irritation seems to offer a logical explanation.
As a source of protein, the Chia, after ingestion, is digested and absorbed very easily.  This results in rapid transport to the tissue and utilization by the cells.  This efficient assimilation makes the Chia very effective when rapid development of tissue takes place, primarily during growth periods if children and adolescents.  Also for the growth and regeneration of tissue during pregnancy and lactation, and this would also include regeneration of muscle tissue for conditioning, athletes, weight lifters, etc.
Another unique quality of the Chia seed is its high oil content, and the richest vegetables source for the essential omega-3 fatty acid.  It has approximately three to ten times the oil concentrations of most grains and one and a half to two times the protein concentrations of other grains.   These oils, unsaturated fatty acids, are the essential oils your body needs to help emulsify and absorb the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, & K.  Chia seeds are rich in the unsaturated fatty acid, linoleic, which the body cannot manufacture.  When there are rich amounts of linoleic acid sufficiently supplied to the body trough diet, linoleic and arachidonic acids can be synthesized   from linoleic acid.
The Chia seed is also a rich source of calcium as it contains the important mineral boron, which acts as catalyst for the absorption and utilization of the calcium by the body. 

a “super” food that all would agree on. It is known as the Chia Seed. Once valued so much that it was used as currency, this unique little seed has exceptional nutritive and structural benefits.
            Chia, is familiar to most of us as a seed used for the novelty of the Chia Pet™, clay animals with sprouted Chia seeds covering their bodies. Little is known, however, of the seeds tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties. For centuries this tiny little seed was used as a staple food by the Indians of the south west and Mexico. Known as the running food, its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during the conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24hr. forced march. Indians running form the Colorado River to the California coast to trade turquoise for seashells would only bring the Chia seed for their nourishment.
If you try missing a spoonful of Chia in a glass of water and leaving it for approximately 30 minutes or so, when you return the glass will appear to contain not seeds or water, but an almost solid gelatin. This gel-forming reaction is due to the soluble fiber in the Chia. Research believe this same gel-forming phenomenon takes place in the stomach when food containing these gummy fibers, known as mucilages, are eaten. The gel that is formed in the stomach creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar.
            In addition to the obvious benefits for diabetics, this slowing in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar offers the ability for creating endurance. Carbohydrates are the fuel for energy in our bodies. Prolonging their conversion into sugar stabilizes metabolic changes, diminishing the surges of highs and lows creating a longer duration in their fueling effects.
            One of the exceptional qualities of the Chia seed is its hydrophilic properties, having the ability to absorb more than 12 times its weigh in water. Its ability to hold on to water offers the ability to prolong hydration. Fluids and electrolytes provide the environment that supports the life of all the body’s cells. Their concentration and composition are regulated to remain as constant as possible. With Chia seeds, you retain moisture, regulate, more efficiently, the bodies absorption of nutrients and body fluids. Because there is a greater efficiency in the utilization of body fluids, the electrolyte balance is maintained.
Chia seed, a muscle and tissue builder and an energizer of endurance with extensive hydration properties, possesses none of the above disadvantage, and because if its physiochemical properties, supports effective treatment in immediate problems of digestion.  Exactly why this should be true may be puzzling at first.  However, if we consider the effect of unusual irritation upon the nerves of the gastrointestinal canal, it is reasonable the think that a less violent and more balanced digestion might quiet the activity of the otherwise hyperactive gut.  Inasmuch as the same foods, which formerly produced irritation, may frequently be continued without harm when hydrophilic colloids are used.   The relief to nerve irritation seems to offer a logical explanation.
As a source of protein, the Chia, after ingestion, is digested and absorbed very easily.  This results in rapid transport to the tissue and utilization by the cells.  This efficient assimilation makes the Chia very effective when rapid development of tissue takes place, primarily during growth periods if children and adolescents.  Also for the growth and regeneration of tissue during pregnancy and lactation, and this would also include regeneration of muscle tissue for conditioning, athletes, weight lifters, etc.
Another unique quality of the Chia seed is its high oil content, and the richest vegetables source for the essential omega-3 fatty acid.  It has approximately three to ten times the oil concentrations of most grains and one and a half to two times the protein concentrations of other grains.   These oils, unsaturated fatty acids, are the essential oils your body needs to help emulsify and absorb the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, & K.  Chia seeds are rich in the unsaturated fattyacid, linoleic, which the body cannot manufacture.  When there are rich amounts of linoleic acid sufficiently supplied to the body trough diet, linoleic and arachidonic acids can be synthesized   from linoleic acid.
The Chia seed is also a rich source of calcium as it contains the important mineral boron, which acts as catalyst for the absorption and utilization of the calcium by the body. 

Isn't it amazing?

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