Posted on 04/13/2023 7:39:42 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Chia seeds are a popular superfood but consumers may not be getting the most benefit possible out of them.
Scientists have discovered the way chia seeds are eaten could determine how much or how little dietary fiber benefits people get and grinding them up could be the best way to consume them.
"Chia seeds contain healthy fats, antioxidants and dietary fiber but there isn't a lot of research into how the composition of these seeds interact with gut microflora, which help to digest food," said Professor Rachel Burton.
Chia seeds are often referred to as a superfood due to their high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. They can be eaten raw or when mixed with liquid, form a gelatinous solution which acts as a thickener.
To carry out this research, gut microbes from pigs were exposed to different forms of chia seeds, including whole seeds and seeds that had been ground into a meal.
The samples were incubated for 70 hours while a special robotic machine measured the gas released over this time, simulating the digestion process.
"What we found was that when the seeds were ground down, they produced more beneficial metabolites or fuel that could then be used to renew gut cells," said Dr. James Cowley.
"This shows the benefits of eating chia seeds could be enhanced if the nutlets are ground, improving access to key nutrients such as dietary fiber."
"There is a lot of emerging research that show gut microbes in the digestive system influence a huge range of conditions including depression and anxiety. Consuming ground chia seeds may potentially shift populations of gut microbes and affect progression of these conditions, however more research needs to be conducted in this area," said Dr. Cowley.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
This completely makes sense, you would think this would be intuitive.
Do you get chia seeds from a Hussein Obama Chia Pet kit?
But how does grinding compare to mixing whole seeds with liquid?
Grinding them first, is better.
Ch-ch-ch-chia!
Aw, c’mon- you were all singing the song in your heads!
CC
I toast mine in a hot dry pan first,then grind.
![]() Ah-Chia!!!! |
Anything that grows in the shape of Obama’s head is not good for you.
I put chia seeds in my blender with protein powder, yogurt, blueberries, ice and pom juice every morning. Works well for me but I know everybody is a bit different.
Oh, what’s the word… wait… oh! Sumbish.
… and if you counterattack, I have no qualms — I’m coming back with Wheels on the Bus!
If you have diverticulitis tiny seeds are not recommended. If you strain on the toilet, over the long run equal to develop diverticuli. Your intestines develop pockets, sort of like blowing bubble gum when you strain during bowel movements.
When I was in boot camp there was a Master Chief cook who came to one of the early nutrition classes during the first week of recruit training and I will never forget this guy. He he started out his lecture by saying, “there are two kinds of food. Food that makes a turd and food that pushes a turd. Make sure you eat a lot of food that pushes the turd!”
And then he began his lecture on the importance of a balanced nutritional diet which The Galley would see to it that each recruit ate during their three square meals per day and how we were supposed to eat everything on our tray.
Of course the cooks on the serving line were sinister. You would hold your tray out for your breakfast dollop of oatmeal and they would give you a gigantic dollop of oatmeal. If you had food remaining on your tray there was a monitor at the garbage can when you bussed your trays and utensils, who sent you back to the table to finish your meal... I can attest that a lot of recruits walked out of that galley with oatmeal in their pockets because it was just easier that way.
I wish we could have gotten oatmeal. I knew the guy that worked up the menus and supervised at the chow hall and actually brought this up. He said we couldnt due to budgetary reasons. All we ever got stuck with was grits because they were at the time about half as much per serving. The more he spent on crap during the day the less there was to spend on the proteins at the end.
Looking at what we were fed compared to what I hear others complain about getting served I know he was making the right choices.
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