Health - Wellness
How Chia Seeds Could Prevent Heart Disease
By BETH BRADFORD
According to the CDC, heart disease accounts for one out of every five deaths in the United States, with factors like high blood pressure, unhealthy dieting, and a lack of exercise contributing to the issue. While heart disease can be deadly, a simple way to reduce the risk is by introducing chia seeds into your diet.
According to Healthline, chia seeds contain the antioxidants quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, which can help protect against heart disease. The chlorogenic acid in chia seeds can reduce blood pressure, soluble fiber can lower your cholesterol, and alpha-linolenic acid may also help your heart pump normally and reduce blood clots.
Several studies over the years have shown that an increase in chia seeds in the participants' diets has led to lower blood pressure. One ounce (28.35 grams) of chia seeds has 138 calories, nearly 10 grams of fiber, and almost 9 grams of fat; a small amount of chia seeds can be easily added to foods or be used to make chia pudding.