Chia seeds BIO-600

Chia (Salvia hispanica) is a species of sage native to Mexico and Guatemala that gave its name to the Mexican state of Chiapas (waters/river of chia). This plant was cultivated by the Aztecs and the Mayas who already knew the peculiarities of this plant. Chia seeds were then the third plant food source of their diet after varieties of corn and beans. The Chumash, Native Americans who lived in Southern California before the arrival of Christopher Columbus, are said to have consumed chia seeds to improve their physical performance. The Tarahumaras, people living in the north of Mexico, in the state of Chihuahua, known to be proven long-distance runners, have the recipe for a food that makes them slender, strong and tireless, the "iskiate", which obtained by dissolving chia seeds in water with a little sugar and lemon juice. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids (15-17% as alpha-linolenic acid - ALA). 5 g of chia seed cover 45% of the GDR (daily nutritional benchmarks) in omega-3. They have a high dietary fiber content which gives them great satiating power once hydrated. Indeed, their richness in mucilage causes them to increase considerably in volume, to form a gel, when soaked in water. Chia seeds are excellent for athletes because of the proteins they have (about 22 g per 100 g). Finally, chia seeds are gluten-free and cholesterol-free.