Salba or White Chia Seeds:
A new type of superfood receiving a lot of attention these days is salba (white chia seeds),
which contains 6 times more calcium than whole milk, 15 times more magnesium than
broccoli, 3 times more anti-oxidant power than fresh blueberries, more fiber than flaxseed,
and more protein than soy. Now that's impressive for such a simple looking little seed! At one
time the ancient Aztecs actually prized it more highly than gold. They fed it to their athletes,
used it as medicine, and even offered it to their gods. But then the Spanish conquistadors
arrived on the scene, and for the next five centuries somehow salba became just a colorful
legend.
But now that modern researchers have rediscovered the remarkable properties of this
nutritional gold mine, it’s beginning to show up again everywhere. Scientist have found that,
gram for gram, salba has 8 times more Omega 3 fatty acids than fresh Atlantic salmon, so it’s
a real winner for promoting a healthy cardiovascular system and heart function. And it helps
maintain good cholesterol levels and keeps your blood pressure where it should be. And
salba energizes you honestly, unlike many energy drinks that are just “caffeine in a costume”
and can cause a blood sugar crash later. It’s also high in fiber—you’d need to eat 1 ¾ cups
of bran to get the fiber in just a few ounces of salba.
But this super grain isn’t just one of the richest whole-food sources of fiber on the planet.
Each tiny granule is packed with both soluble and insoluble fiber, in ideal balance. Salba’s
insoluble fiber gently “scrubs” debris and toxins from your colon walls, alleviating problems
with constipation,"unsightly build-up," and blockage. And its soluble fiber soaks up water, so
that loose stools and diarrhea are avoided. When you’ve got both kinds of fiber working in
perfect balance, as is the case with salba, food moves through your digestive tract and
bowel calmly and cleanly. The fiber also slows down your digestion, so your body has a
chance to absorb more nutrients, and you feel full longer—which helps with weight
management. It also works to even out your absorption of carbohydrates, so your cells get a
slow, smooth supply of fuel, and no blood sugar spikes.
Even Oprah's resident physician Dr. Oz has gotten on the band wagon and recommended
salba as a way to "fuel your workout...and help restore energy levels, decrease inflammation
because of their omega-3 fatty acids, and, more important, help stabilize blood sugar levels."
And salba’s flavor is neutral, so it “disappears” when you stir it into your favorite breakfast
food or smoothie. You can also mix it into baked goods, casseroles, and more. It has a shelf
life of 5 years, and even if you grind it, it stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
But it’s only the white strain of the grain/seed, and not the black, that happens to possess all
of these health-giving properties, so be sure that’s the type you buy.
(Swanson now carries this super grain—at one of the best prices around.)
Back to "To Your Health"
A new type of superfood receiving a lot of attention these days is salba (white chia seeds),
which contains 6 times more calcium than whole milk, 15 times more magnesium than
broccoli, 3 times more anti-oxidant power than fresh blueberries, more fiber than flaxseed,
and more protein than soy. Now that's impressive for such a simple looking little seed! At one
time the ancient Aztecs actually prized it more highly than gold. They fed it to their athletes,
used it as medicine, and even offered it to their gods. But then the Spanish conquistadors
arrived on the scene, and for the next five centuries somehow salba became just a colorful
legend.
But now that modern researchers have rediscovered the remarkable properties of this
nutritional gold mine, it’s beginning to show up again everywhere. Scientist have found that,
gram for gram, salba has 8 times more Omega 3 fatty acids than fresh Atlantic salmon, so it’s
a real winner for promoting a healthy cardiovascular system and heart function. And it helps
maintain good cholesterol levels and keeps your blood pressure where it should be. And
salba energizes you honestly, unlike many energy drinks that are just “caffeine in a costume”
and can cause a blood sugar crash later. It’s also high in fiber—you’d need to eat 1 ¾ cups
of bran to get the fiber in just a few ounces of salba.
But this super grain isn’t just one of the richest whole-food sources of fiber on the planet.
Each tiny granule is packed with both soluble and insoluble fiber, in ideal balance. Salba’s
insoluble fiber gently “scrubs” debris and toxins from your colon walls, alleviating problems
with constipation,"unsightly build-up," and blockage. And its soluble fiber soaks up water, so
that loose stools and diarrhea are avoided. When you’ve got both kinds of fiber working in
perfect balance, as is the case with salba, food moves through your digestive tract and
bowel calmly and cleanly. The fiber also slows down your digestion, so your body has a
chance to absorb more nutrients, and you feel full longer—which helps with weight
management. It also works to even out your absorption of carbohydrates, so your cells get a
slow, smooth supply of fuel, and no blood sugar spikes.
Even Oprah's resident physician Dr. Oz has gotten on the band wagon and recommended
salba as a way to "fuel your workout...and help restore energy levels, decrease inflammation
because of their omega-3 fatty acids, and, more important, help stabilize blood sugar levels."
And salba’s flavor is neutral, so it “disappears” when you stir it into your favorite breakfast
food or smoothie. You can also mix it into baked goods, casseroles, and more. It has a shelf
life of 5 years, and even if you grind it, it stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
But it’s only the white strain of the grain/seed, and not the black, that happens to possess all
of these health-giving properties, so be sure that’s the type you buy.
(Swanson now carries this super grain—at one of the best prices around.)
Back to "To Your Health"
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| "May you be blessed with all things good." |
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is
provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician,
nutritionist, trained health care practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. When in doubt,
always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.
The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is
provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician,
nutritionist, trained health care practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. When in doubt,
always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.