Difference Between Black and White Chia Seeds

Black and White Chia Seeds

Chia, from the flowering plant of the mint family, Lamiaceae, is native to southern and central Mexico and Guatemala. The Aztecs cultivated this plant. It was of great value that the ancient rulers pay tribute to it annually. The seeds of the Chia are sometimes ground while the leaves were made into nutritious drinks and food.

Chia grows annually up to 3.3 ft. or 1 m tall. Its opposite leaves grow up to 4-8 cm long and about 3 to 5 cm in width. It has flowers that are purple and sometimes white in color and are produced in several clusters found in every stem.

This plant is commercially grown because of its seeds that are filled with Omega-3 fatty acids. It can extract oils and can yield up to 25-30 percent extractable oil, most of which is a-linolenic acid(ALA). Antioxidants are also very abundant in these seeds as well as a wide variety of amino acids. The seeds are mostly found in oval shapes of around 1 mm diameter.

Chia seeds are mottle-colored with white, brown, black, and gray. They contain, 34% oil, 20% protein, levels of antioxidants, and dietary fiber. These antioxidants are: caffeic chlorogenic and acids, quercetin, myricetin, and even kaempferol flavonols. They do not contain any level of sodium as well as gluten.

Protein contents in black and white chia seeds are not always the same. Studies show that on all four different places where chia was grown, there is no basis in saying that protein in white chia is bigger in amount than that of the black species. The content varied in almost all cases. It is also the same thing with the amounts of lipids, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. For all we know, when summed up, dark chia went as far higher as .01% than the white chia seeds.

In this study alone, there are greater differences in composition between the black and white chia seeds as produced by location. This is highly due to differences in climates of the different areas of concern. So there is basically no difffernce at all between black and white chia seeds as chia seeds are predominantly black.

The chia, otherwise known as Salvia Hispanica, is an essential food of health aficionados. It has been known in ancient times as a proponent for improved endurance. It was also known as ‘running foods’ as those who eat its seeds could go on all day without anything but the seed itself. As it was highly regarded during obscure times, it has now regained it name as one of the highly valued foods.

Modern researchers call, whether it’s black or white chia seeds, as ‘super food’. The medicinal benefits of chia in general are: decreased levels of blood glucose, decreased insulin reaction, giving some kind of relief on Diabetes, decreased level in blood pressure, decreased inflamation or swelling of the arteries, lower risk on gaseousness, more endurance and energy, improvement on cardiac health, improved condition of the colon and regulated bowel movement, decreased level of acid reflux, tyrosis and weight loss.

Since chia seeds has a good level of soluble fiber, it can absorb up to ten times it body weight; this amount of water can even be put into a glass and can be drunk like a natural beverage. Its gelatinous substance located in the stomach’s juice coats slows down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Thus, when you drink a glass of chia gelatinous gel before a meal, you can reduce hunger and even craving for food and sweets.

Chia seeds can be ingested raw either as a whole seed or ground and can be put on pinole, a coarse flour out of maize kernels which are toasted. Soaked seeds can be used in porridges, gruels and puddings, while ground seeds are included in baked foods like breads, cakes, and biscuits as ingredients. Chia sprouts can also be used in sandwiches, salads and other dishes.

Summary:

· Black and white chia seeds are foods with high nutritional value.

· They are known generally to have remedies in human ailments.

· Black and white chia seeds when planted on different places will differ minimally in composition nutritional value.

· Planting black and white chia seeds in different places will have different effects as it will depend on the location and climates of the areas of concern.

· Chia seeds are predominantly black.

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