Analysis has shown that chia seeds are rich in a variety of important substances. An ounce of seeds which can fit into two tablespoons have been analyzed to contain 139 low GI calories, 4 grams of protein, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 11 grams of fiber, 9 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein. Along with this, chia seeds also contain a substantial amount of minerals including 180 milligrams of calcium, 26 milligrams of phosphorus, 45 milligrams of potassium, 5 milligrams of sodium and trace amounts of zinc, copper, and manganese.
Another important class of healthy substances present in chia seeds are fatty acids. The same 1-ounce serving of chia seeds are rich in two important fatty acids namely Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. There are about 5,000 milligrams of Omega-3 FA and another 1,620 milligrams of Omega-6 FA in chia seeds. Both are widely considered to be essential to a healthy circulatory and cardiovascular system, which is not surprising considering how endurance athletes seem to credit chia seeds for their ability to run long distances on a daily basis.
So what do these nutritional facts translate into from the perspective of tangible health benefits? Allow us to count the ways.