Organic Chia Seeds - RAWGORILLA - 1kg

Chia seeds are one of the world's most popular superfoods, they are constantly trending amongst wellness groups, and their versatility means you can add them into pretty much any recipe for a powerful nutritional boost. However for the uninitiated, chia seeds can be an intimidating ingredient to start using, here we’ll break down exactly what they are, how to use them and most importantly their incredible health benefits. What are chia seeds Chia seeds are small edible seeds from the mint family, originating from South America, they have a subtle nutty, almost bitter taste and are small and oval shaped. Historically chia seeds were cultivated by both mayans and Aztecs, forming a key aspect of their diets, due to their use as a long lasting energy source, and they remain just as popular today! As chia seeds have such a subtle flavour, they can be used in both sweet and savoury recipes, but they are arguably most popular in smoothies and milkshakes. What makes chia seeds a superfood There are a few main characteristics of chia seeds that make them so nutritionally incredible, but perhaps most importantly is their status as a complete protein. A complete protein means that a food source has all nine vital amino acids that the body needs, but cannot produce. Chia seeds hold a unique position, as typically complete proteins can be hard to find outside of animal sources, which makes them harder to come by for those on a vegan or plant based diet. On top of their impressive collection of amino acids, chia seeds are also rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which are crucial for both brain and heart health. Chia seeds are also packed full of fibre (with just two tablespoons providing roughly 9.8 grams of dietary fibre) this makes chia seeds a great way to improve your digestion and reduce inflammation. Similarly chia seeds contain a great multitude of antioxidants, which can help protect against inflammation, diabetes and even heart disease. The amazing health benefits of chia seeds As you might have guessed from their incredible nutritional makeup, chia seeds have As we mentioned above, chia seeds are rich in omega 3. Omega 3 fatty acids are another type of nutrient that can be incredibly hard for those on plant based diets to accrue, but it is incredibly important for our health. Not only do omega 3 fatty acids keep our brains and hearts healthy, they are also critical to maintaining good eyesight, and a healthy immune system. In particular chia seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a specific type of omega 3, which has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. The high fibre content of chia seeds we previously mentioned, is another source of their excellent health benefits. The fibre in chia seeds lowers bad cholesterol and triglycerides, while simultaneously increasing heart protective cholesterol. Alongside this, fibre intake has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, type two diabetes, inflammation and digestive issues. Alongside these health benefits, chia seeds are also a unique tool for weight loss and appetite management. Because of their high fibre content, chia seeds are excellent at absorbing water, which means when they are in the stomach they form a gel like substance that helps to satiate appetite, reduce cravings and lower caloric intake. How to get the most out of chia seeds Chia seeds are an incredibly versatile ingredient, so it can be a little overwhelming to try to understand all of its uses, here we’ll show you exactly how to get the most from your chia seeds no matter what you want to use them for. You can also simply eat chia seeds straight from the packet as a snack, and avoid the need for any particular prep or research. One of the most common questions when using chia seeds is whether or not you should soak them before adding them to a drink or using them in a recipe, but it really depends on what you are using them for. The best way to decide whether you want to soak your chia seeds or not, is to decide on the texture you would like from them. If you are looking to add a slight crunch to salads, smoothies, cereals or porridge then it is best to simply sprinkle the chia seeds onto them before serving. However if you are looking to create a creamier final result, like chia pudding then you’ll need to soak the chia seeds with a ratio of roughly 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to ¼ of a cup of liquid. In regards to nutrition, it is generally better to soak the chia seeds to improve the rate at which the nutrients are absorbed, and generally make them easier to digest.Similarly if you’re looking to use chia seeds as a weight loss tool, soaking them will provide a better result. As you increase your intake of chia seeds, it is hugely important to make sure you are increasing your water consumption alongside it, not only will this allow you to get the most benefits from it, but it will also make sure that the vast amounts of fibre in chia seeds don’t cause any short term digestive issues. Why you need to include chia seeds in your diet Hopefully from their nutritional power alone you’re already considering incorporating chia seeds into your diet, whether you’re looking to improve your heart health, digestion or protein intake, they really can do it all. By varying how you use them in recipes, or as a snack you can make sure you never get bored of them, and once you start making them a staple ingredient in your pantry you’ll really notice the difference. If after reading this article you’re still unsure on how exactly you want to use chia seeds, we have plenty of great recipes, including this delicious goji berry and chia smoothie so don’t hesitate to get started!

Everyone knows that seeds are one of the healthiest ingredients you can incorporate into your diet, but people often underestimate exactly how significant their health benefits can be. Each seed looks and tastes different, so it shouldn’t be any surprise that their nutritional profiles are just as diverse. In this article we’ll break down some of the best seeds you can include in your diet, as well as how you could cook with them. It’s also important to note that we can’t mention every single type of seed here, so don’t be afraid to venture outside of this list and really experiment in the world of seeds. Chia Seeds Organic chia seeds are one of the world's most popular superfoods, so it makes sense that they’d be on this list. Chia seeds are small edible seeds from the mint family originating from South America, where they have been cultivated dating all the way back to the Aztec Empire. Chia seeds are unique mainly because of their status as a complete protein, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids that the body needs but cannot produce on its own. Complete proteins can be quite hard to find outside of animal sources, so chia seeds are naturally a great choice for vegans or those on plant based diets. Chia seeds are also incredibly high in fibre, with just two tablespoons providing nearly 10 grams of dietary fibre. Being high in fibre means that chia seeds are a great way to improve digestion, but crucially also heart health. As chia seeds reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in our bodies, they simultaneously increase the amount of good cholesterol that lowers the risk of heart disease. How to use chia seeds: Chia seeds are fairly versatile, but they are most commonly used in drinks, puddings and salads. There is significant debate (particularly amongst healthy eaters) as to whether it is best to soak chia seeds before eating them or not, but really it depends on personal preference. While soaking chia seeds can make them more easily digestible, and therefore slightly more nutritious, it also removes their crunchy texture. If you’re making chia pudding or looking to bulk out a smoothie then it’s best to soak your chia seeds, but if you’re looking to use them to add some extra texture to a salad then you’re better off simply sprinkling them on top. Flaxseed/LinseedFlaxseed (also known as linseed) comes in two varieties, gold and brown, and while they have pretty much identical nutritional profiles, golden flaxseed has a slightly richer taste. Flaxseed is a severely underrated ingredient, and really should be considered a superfood in its own right, rich in protein, fibre and omega 3 fatty acids, it is a great all rounder. Crucially flaxseed is both gluten free and vegan, which makes it a must have for either of those diets, primarily for its high protein and linoleic acid content. Linoleic acid is a type of omega six fatty acid, which can be incredibly difficult to find outside of oily fish, not only is it great for maintaining healthy skin, but also for lowering cholesterol and improving insulin sensitivity. How to use flaxseedFlaxseed has a very subtle flavour, so it can easily be paired with sweet or savoury recipes, or simply mixed with water and enjoyed on its own. However it is important to increase your water intake as you begin to incorporate flaxseed into your diet to avoid dehydration and digestive issues. Pumpkin seedsOrganic pumpkin seeds are a great way to boost the nutrition of your diet without too much hassle, they can be enjoyed as a snack on their own, or sprinkled into salads, soups and curries. Pumpkin seeds are not only convenient, but also highly nutritious. Like chia seeds and flaxseed, pumpkin seeds are rich in healthy fatty acids, protein and vitamin E. Vitamin E is tremendously important to the development of healthy skin, hair and most importantly eyesight. Pumpkin seeds also contain an abundance of antioxidants, and have been found to improve heart health, as well as potentially lowering the risk of cancer while also improving bladder health. Sesame seeds are a pretty common household ingredient, but their staggering nutritional content and health benefits are often forgotten. Typically a staple in Asian and South American cooking, sesame seeds have a mild slightly sweet flavour, and are great in both sweet and savoury cooking. Sesame seeds have a lot of benefits in common with the seeds we’ve already discussed (primarily omega fatty acids and vitamin E), but they are unique in having an exceptionally high amount of zinc. Zinc may not sound like an important nutrient for the body, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Zinc plays a vital role in the immune system, wound healing, and even protein synthesis, so it is incredibly important to make sure your body gets enough of it. How to use sesame seedsSesame seeds can be sprinkled into savoury dishes, either raw or toasted, and it’s subtle sweet flavour works particularly well in Asian dishes, but they can also be used to make tahini. Tahini is a type of paste traditionally used in Middle Eastern cuisine, acting as a base for dips like hummus and baba ganoush, or used in baking to improve a dish’s nutritional content, and add a natural sweetness. Why you should start making seeds a part of your daily diet: The health benefits we’ve outlined above should already peak the interest of anyone looking to live a healthier life, but also for anyone seeking new recipes, flavours and culinary adventures. Not only does each type of seed have a different health benefit, they also all have a wide multitude of uses, and can really help make your cooking more varied than it ever has been before. Once you start using seeds in your recipes you’ll find it hard to stop, whether you’re looking to add some texture to a dish or drink, or simply trying to bring out some rich (but healthy) flavours, seeds can do it all.

Easy and healthy ways to increase your magnesium intake Why is magnesium so important? Magnesium is an essential nutrient responsible for the correct functioning of your body. It can help improve your mood, boost mental health and performance, combat depression, raise energy levels, regulate blood sugar, and even improve your sleep. What are they symptoms of magnesium deficiency? The symptoms of magnesium deficiency include: insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms, restless leg syndrome, nausea, low blood pressure, confusion and irritability. These symptoms usually indicate an underlying health condition like thyroid imbalance, gastrointestinal diseases, pancreatitis, diabetes and kidney disease. How do you get 100% of magnesium daily? There are many magnesium supplements available on the market, but you can get it naturally from eating more healthy foods. In fact, most people get magnesium from a healthy, balanced diet. If you are concerned about a magnesium deficiency, you may consider increasing magnesium consumption by incorporating more magnesium-rich foods into your diet. Whole foods rich in magnesium The diets rich in whole foods like nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, leafy greens, and healthy fats will provide you with enough magnesium to keep your body healthy. Among those, nuts, seeds, whole grains and leafy greens have the highest magnesium content. Here's a list of ingredients which are a good source of magnesium per 100g: Nuts: Almonds: 268 mg Peanuts: 168 mg Brazil nuts: 376 mg Cashews: 251 mg Peanut butter (100% peanuts, smooth): 154 mg Seeds: Pumpkin seeds (dried): 592 mg Flaxseed: 392 mg Chia seeds: 335 mg Whole grains: Quinoa: 64 mg Brown rice (cooked): 43 mg Whole-wheat bread (1 slice): 23 mg Legumes: Edamame: 224 mg Black beans: 172 mg Chick Peas: 115 mg Black-eyed peas: 60 mg Vegetables and fruits: Spinach, boiled: 157 mg (1 cup). Avocado: 58 mg (1 medium seize). Kale: 33 mg Banana: 32 mg (1 medium size). Swiss chard: 29 mg (1 cup). Broccoli: 21 mg/100g Plant-based staples: Tofu: 74 mg Soy milk: 61 mg Dark chocolate: 65 mg What is Magnesium water?