Black Vs. White Chia Seed

Chia seeds have become a popular natural health food because they are a source of balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, high-quality protein, antioxidants, and many other nutrients. While the many health benefits are widely known and accepted, the color of the chia seeds, black vs. white, is still a source of controversy even though researchers have found no significant difference between the two colors of seeds.

History

• Chia seeds, harvested from salvia hispanica plants, have been used by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs and by the people in Central and South America for thousands of years. Considered to be a perfect food source by the ancient civilization, chia seeds were cultivated by the Aztecs and eaten as a grain, mixed with other grains, ground into flour, used in medicines, and pressed for oil. Today, people in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the southern United States mix chia seeds with water, lime juice and sugar and drink it.

  Chia seeds are re-emerging in the market as a superfood because of their many health benefits. Currently, chia is grown commercially in different South American countries, primarily Argentina, where it is then sold in natural health food markets around the world.

Chia Seeds

• Chia seeds are tiny, mottled brown, gray, black and white seeds. They are harvested from the salvia hispanica plant, which looks similar to wheat. Because the plant is poisonous to many types of insects, pesticides are not required, thus the seeds are grown organically. The fact that they are all natural, pesticide-free, herbicide-free and gluten-free makes chia seeds a popular choice among health-conscious consumers.

Black vs. White Chia Seeds

• Chia seeds are actually mottled shades of brown, gray and black or white, gray and yellow, hence the names of black chia seeds and white chia seeds. Black chia seeds are more common, but there is much controversy surrounding which seeds are nutritionally superior. While large-scale, independent research has not been conducted because it would not be cost-effective, researchers and growers agree that black chia seeds and white chia seeds are nutritionally identical. If anything, a difference in nutritional content would more be attributed to different production locations rather than the seeds themselves.

Uses

• Chia seeds are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available because they are rich in protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. They have no flavor, so they can be added as a nutritional supplement to nearly any type of food. They can be sprinkled on yogurt, used in flour to make breads, or added to a drink such as a smoothie. Chia seeds are thought to be nutritionally superior to flaxseeds and are used in much the same way.

Benefits

• The seeds can be used to prevent or help treat a number of illnesses and conditions. Dieters and diabetics use them for a natural weight-loss aid and to control blood sugar levels. The Aztec warriors used them as a source of energy, and today many athletes consume them to enhance their endurance levels. Because they are rich in nutrients, anyone interested in natural health and maintaining their health and physical fitness can benefit from black or white chia seeds.