Flax Seeds Or Chia Seeds? What Is A Better Choice?

With the increasing information about healthy foods, we are bound to get confused between different options available let us take a look at the points of differences between flaxseeds and chia seeds.

Physical Overview

Chia seeds look something like little oval-shaped seeds which come from the Chia plant or better known by its botanical name 'Salvia hispanica', Chia seeds are usually the whole black or sometimes white in colour depending upon their varieties. Whereas Flax seeds on the other hand are slightly bigger in size than the chia seeds and they also tend to be flatter in shape in contrast to the oval shape of the chia seeds. Flax seeds are generally brown or golden in colour naturally. They originate in the middle east from a plant known as flax or Linum usitatissimum. In taste comparison, flax seeds have a bit more of a nuttier flavour in contrast to the chia seeds which taste almost bland, having no distinct taste at all. However, both of these seeds are used extensively in the kitchen, in a wide variety of dishes in multiple cuisines across the globe.

Nutritional Content And Comparison

Chia and Flax seeds both tend to be an extremely rich source of a variety of nutrients when it comes to their nutritional composition. Both of the seeds hosts impressive large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids as well as protein. However, flax seeds contain significantly more amounts of these two nutrients as compared to chia seeds. Flax seeds also tend to have a slight upper hand when it comes to the number of certain nutrients such as Magnesium, Potassium, and Copper. And chia seeds on the other hand have fewer calories and more fiber, both soluble and insoluble.

All in all, both the seeds are literally stuffed with nutrients such as fiber, protein, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, Manganese, Thiamine, Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc, and Calcium. Therefore, both of them are termed as the powerhouse of nutrients. The inclusion of these nutrients means that the consumption of these seeds in spite of which one you consume, either of the two will prove to be super beneficial for your health. Speaking of benefits, here are some amazing health benefits of consuming flax and chia seeds.

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Health Benefits Of Both On Cardiovascular Health And Blood Sugar

• Scientific research has been conducted across the globe regarding the benefits and remedial effects of flax and chia seeds upon consumption of either of the seeds, and the results show that both, flax and chia are a rich source of magnesium. Magnesium can help lower the blood pressure levels in the system to a normal and continue to maintain healthy levels of blood pressure in the body. It helps treat patients suffering from hypertension which causes high blood pressure spikes in the system after regular time intervals.
• Constant high blood pressure can also increase the risk of a stroke and a number of cardiovascular diseases. So, regular consumption of either of the seeds can help prevent such instances by balancing blood pressure levels in the body, and at the same time, it also lowers the risk of contracting such heart-related ailments or illnesses. Additionally, both chia and flax seeds are stuffed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which helps relax blood vessels. Relaxed blood vessels mean lower blood pressure which in turn means less strain on your heart. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids also help get rid of bad cholesterol LDL from our body and promote the production of HDL or good cholesterol.

• Eradication of bad cholesterol makes sure that there are no blockages in the blood vessels going in and out of your heart, which can become a major reason a heart attack or cardiac arrest. All of these factors play a major role in improving cardiovascular health and both, flax and chia seeds, make a good dietary substance for people already suffering from cardiovascular ailments or generally for better cardiac health in already healthy people.
• Upon consuming either of the seeds, blood sugar levels can drop significantly in the system to a minimum which is considered healthy as per medical science. This remedial property of the seeds can prove to be highly beneficial for patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Both seeds tend to have certain plant compounds and a convincing amount of fiber, both soluble and insoluble, that can significantly reduce blood sugar spikes in the system.
• The high fiber content of these seeds is directly linked with low and healthy blood sugar levels in the body. Diabetic people may consume either of these seeds as a part of their regular diet in order to prevent frequent blood sugar spikes even after a high-carb meal.

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