Chia: Health Fad to Food Staple

Look around you. We are surrounded by a wide variety of fads which rise and fall in popularity. The colors, textures and styles of ever-changing fashion dictate what we wear.  The latest trends greatly influence what we drive. How we exercise and what we eat to be healthy are definitely not immune to the impact of similar fads.  Chia seeds have ridden this rollercoaster of popularity in recent years. At the crest of their popularity, exaggerated claims which centered around weight-loss abounded regarding chia. Now as the hype dies down and we are more inclined to focus on chia’s true qualities, perhaps we should consider elevating them from fad to staple.

Sixteenth-century records show us that chia seeds were a primary staple among the Aztec and other indians which populated southern Mexico as well as Guatemala. Salvia Hispanica, which produces the tiny seeds known as chia, was so widely grown and valued at that time that it was even used to pay tribute. Hundreds of years have passed, but even so Salvia Hispanica is still cultivated in many Central and South American countries. The seeds reaped from these crops are destined not for the health food stores, but ground or left whole and incorporated into the everyday recipes of the common people.

Eating chia on a daily basis makes sense when you consider the many nutrients hidden within each tiny seed. Not only do these black and white speckled seeds provide a generous serving of fiber, but they are also a significant source of protein and Omega 3. And the list of their beneficial qualities doesn’t stop there! Chia also furnishes us with various B vitamins, including Thiamine and Niacin. Thiamine is essential for proper metabolism and a healthy nervous system, while Niacin works to regulate cholesterol levels and contributes to the overall health of the heart. Our bodies also receive several essential minerals, including calcium, iron and magnesium, from chia.

Unlike ancient times when chia was eaten by the general population, today most of the people who appreciate chia are health-conscious. They shop for whole chia seeds, chia flour or even chia oil in the health food aisles of their favorite supermarket or the health food store of their choice. These chia products are then fixed in a variety of ways and taken as a supplement. There is nothing wrong with this. Wouldn’t it be better, though, to make a permanent spot for chia in our pantry? We would benefit so much more from chia if we made it a daily staple, rather then allowing it to continue being a supplement, which will eventually be forgotten and replaced by another health food fad.