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Healthy Diet Chia Seeds - What Can Superfood Do?
Again and again, special foods are touted as "superfood" because of their healthy ingredients, which should help against numerous ailments - as in the case of chia seeds. In fact, these foods are often particularly nutritious, but in the end, the key to healthy nutrition is overall balanced nutrition.
Chia seeds are growing in popularity as foods with positive health properties. To what extent the seeds can actually live up to expectations, the AOK has presented in a recent press release. The chia seeds are therefore not significantly healthier than similar products such as flaxseed.
Chia seeds are promoted as a promising "superfood", which should help against numerous complaints. (Image: Diana Taliun / fotolia.com) Gluten-free cereal substitute
According to the AOK, the trend food chia seeds are said to have "considerable health properties." The chia plant is native to South America and is similar to sage. The plant produces white and black seeds that can be consumed and used as gluten-free cereal substitutes. Since 2013, the importation of chia seeds as food has been authorized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), reports the AOK.
Maximum 15 grams of chia seeds a day
With regard to the daily intake, EFSA recommends that no more than 15 grams of Chia seeds per day be consumed, according to the AOK. The seeds would mostly be used as an addition to muesli, yoghurt or baked goods. In addition, oil from chia seeds is available. Basically, there are no reservations about the consumption, but allergy sufferers should be careful according to the AOK, as there is still no sufficient scientific research to determine whether chia seeds can cause allergies.
"Superfood" a critical term
According to the AOK, chia seeds contain "many important nutrients such as protein, fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals." The seeds are also said to have antihypertensive properties and contain anitoxidants, ie radical scavengers that protect our cells from damage, according to the AOK. Nevertheless, the term "superfood" should be criticized critically, as the European Food Information Center (EUFIC) generally warns against the expression. Because this could give the impression that other foods are less healthy. It is better to pay attention to an overall balanced diet, rather than relying on the characteristics of a particular food, according to the AOK.
Flaxseed with similar properties
Chia seeds are, according to the press spokeswoman of the German Society for Nutrition (DGE), Antje Gahl, compared to the magazine "TEST" nutritionally valuable, but the nutrients could also be taken up with other foods become. For example, rapeseed oil, nuts and flax seeds are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and the composition of the nutrients would make chia seeds relatively close to linseed. At the same time, the flax seeds are significantly cheaper than the chia seeds. (Fp)