Chia History

Originally grown in South America, Chia seeds were first used as food as early as 3500 BC and were one of the main dietary components of the Aztecs and the Mayans.

Chia seeds were eaten as a grain, drunk as a beverage when mixed with water, ground into flour, included in medicines, pressed for oil and used as a base for face and body paints.

Chia is the Mayan word for strength. The seeds were used by these ancient cultures as mega-energy food, by their running messengers, who would carry a small pouch with them.

Chia grows best 15 degrees from the equator and today is grown on this latitude in Australia and South America.

Chia Nutrition

Chia is the richest plant based source of Omega 3, dietary fibre, protein and antioxidants.

We refer to Chia as Nature’s Complete Superfood because it is very high in nutrition that is essential for a healthy diet including Omega 3, dietary fibre and protein as well as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

It contains:

• 37% Dietary Fibre
• 20% Omega 3 ALA
• 20% Protein
• High in antioxidants (ORAC value of 10,000 vitamin E equivalents)
• High in Vitamins and Minerals (Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium)

Chia is a gluten free Wholegrain

Chia is a wholegrain food because it contains all components of the grain; the Bran, Germ and Endosperm. There is a constantly growing body of evidence that the consumption of wholegrain foods leads to better health. Research also shows that eating wholegrain foods can help lower the risk of being overweight and lower the risk of diet related disease such as diabetes and heart disease.

Many of the important nutrients are located in the outer layer ‘the Bran’ which is why wholegrain foods are so important. Some research suggests that people who have a diet rich in wholegrain high fibre foods have a reduced risk of bowel cancer.

The amazing thing about Chia as wholegrain food is that it contains such a high amount of fibre, protein and Omega 3 as well as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The protein is a complete protein with all 8 essential amino acids which is very rare for a vegetarian source of protein.

Chia is the only wholegrain that you can eat raw exactly as it comes from the plant without removing the husk, milling, processing or cooking.