The Benefits of Chia Seed Water
Within the past five years, there’s been a “superfoods” craze sweeping across the nation. More and more restaurants, and juice bars especially, now offer kale, avocado, coconut oil, and you guessed it—chia seeds. These itty-bitty seeds might seem itty-bitty but rest assured that they pack a nutrient-dense punch that’ll send you and your healthy soaring. But there’s a trick to consuming them, which is first soaking them in water. It’s easier than you think, so let’s chat about them.
WHAT ARE CHIA SEEDS?
Chia seeds are the edible part of Salvia hispanica, a flowering plant native to Central America. The seeds are very small, making them perfect for incorporating into smoothies, yogurt parfaits, or even just purified water!
You might recall the popular 90s terracotta toy, Chia Pets. Those very seeds that grew to be your fuzzy, green pet are the same seeds we’re talking about here! But they’re more than just for fun, because they have proven health benefits, too.
POWER TO THE PROTEIN
The chia seed is a great plant source of protein, containing all eight essential amino acids, making it much higher in protein than many other plants. In fact, just two tablespoons contain 10 times the Omega-3s of an equal serving of walnuts (the highest level of Omega-3s of any known plant) and more iron than a cup of spinach. They are also a great source of beneficial fats and fiber and have about as many antioxidants per serving as blueberries.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT FIBER
A naturally low-carb and high-fiber food, chia seeds provide the recommended daily amount of fiber with just one serving. This fiber works as a prebiotic in the digestive system, so while it isn’t digested and used directly, it feeds the beneficial bacteria in your body and may help improve your digestive health. Better yet, they don’t raise blood sugar or affect insulin levels like other forms of carbohydrates do. Now that’s a win-win.
HYDRATION TO THE MAX
When you think of foods, you rarely think of hydration. But don’t be fooled—if you have trouble drinking enough water throughout the day, chia seeds are a terrific aid. With their unique ability to absorb over 10x their weight in liquid, they are the ultimate hydration food. Thanks to their soluble fiber content and water-absorbent shell, you can count on chia seeds to be filling and satisfying, all while keeping you hydrated.
TREAT YOUR BODY TO CHIA SEED WATER
Making chia seed water is super easy. It’s so easy, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t tried it before! You just need two key ingredients:
– Chia seeds
– Purified water
For every ¼ cup of chia seeds, use 1 cup of warm, purified water and stir until they become chewy like a gel. Leave them in the fridge for 20 minutes and you’ll be ready to go! Your soaked seeds can be refrigerated for up to five days, so go ahead and make a big batch for the whole family at the start of the week.
WANT MORE THAN WATER?
These super seeds are perfect for many different meals, that’s what makes them so awesome. Try mixing a couple of soaked spoonful’s into a smoothie. For two servings, just blend these ingredients together for a yummy, nutrient-packed breakfast or snack:
– 2 cups frozen strawberries
– 1 banana
– 1 cup milk (any kind)
– 2 tbsp soaked chia seeds
Or, for a parfait, try mixing ½ cup of soaked seeds with two tablespoons almond milk, topped with fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup. Truly, the possibilities are endless after you’ve made the base chia seed water.
CHOOSE WISELY
While soaking chia seeds, and utilizing them in all sorts of meals, is easy, you need to make sure you’re reaching for the right water for maximum benefit. Opting in for purified water, like Primo® Water, is a better, safer alternative to tap water. Thanks to Primo’s 5-step Reverse Osmosis (RO) purification system, our water is rid of nasty contaminants found in your tap, like heavy metals, harmful bacteria and trace pharmaceuticals.
In addition, Primo® Water offers a variety of full-size water dispensers with piping-hot and ice-cold functionalities. That means you won’t have to wait to warm up your water when soaking them. Primo can do that work for you!
So, get ready to be a hydration master with the help of these tiny seeds. It’ll have you feeling like a health god or goddess—we call that The Primo Effect. Do you use chia seeds? Let us know how you enjoy them in the comments below!
