A few days ago, I wrote about 5 under-appreciated super foods, including flax seed, one of nature's best sources for omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). That's when my cousin Cheryl brought chia seed to my attention.
In pre-Columbian America, Chia seed was highly prized by Aztec and Mayan civilizations, and with good reason! It is an excellent source of high-quality protein, calcium, potassium, trace minerals and antioxidants. Better yet, according to some sources, chia seed has more omega-3 EFAs per serving than flax seed!
Does that mean we abandon the flax seed ship and climb aboard the SS Chia? Well, not so fast. One caveat worth noting is that when it comes to EFAs, many experts maintain that it isn't just the quantity of omega-3 that matters; it's also important to have the right ratio of omega-3 to omega-6, and when that ratio gets too far out of balance, you may be at greater risk for heart disease, autoimmune diseases, cancer and more.
Recent Comments