According to the American Society for Nutrition, chia seeds provide insoluble fiber which helps keep you fuller longer and bulks up stool to prevent constipation. They also deliver healthy fats, protein, and cell-protecting antioxidants. Chia seeds are a good source of minerals, such as: calcium.

The sweet basil seeds do resemble the chia seeds and is known by the names Sabja seeds or falooda seeds or tukmaria in India. They are basically the seeds of the sweet basil.

The main difference is that Sabja seeds are black in colour and round in appearance while Chia seeds are grey, white, black in colour, oval in shape and slightly bigger than Sabja seeds. While chia seeds take time to absorb water, Sabja seeds swell up instantly after soaking in water.

Sprinkle a few teaspoons into breakfast cereal (hot or cold) salads, soups, or stews. Stir into salad dressings, sauces, marinades, or cake/muffin/bread batter. Use chia gel as a thickener added to smoothies, puddings, and soups (stir the gel into these foods after they are prepped or cooked).

Chia seeds are highly nutritious, boast a long list of health benefits and can be a healthy dietary addition for most. However, moderation is key, as eating too many may cause side effects. To prevent this, start with 1 ounce (28 grams) daily and assess your tolerance before slowly increasing your intake.

The insects that tend to inhabit and ingest chia seeds are weevils. Still, some such as tobacco woodworms, the lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha Dominica), and some types of moths can eat chia seeds. Most importantly, people take the time to put these strategies into practice to eliminate this pest from their pantry.

Bugs that look like chia seeds The seeds are small, black, and ovular. Beetles are the same. If you spot something moving around in your food, do a complete inspection and see if it really is some kind of pest.

Because of its high soluble fiber content, chia seeds can absorb up to 10–12 times their weight in water, becoming gel-like and expanding in your stomach (8).

You do not need to soak chia seeds before eating them, but soaked and raw chia seeds do have slightly different health benefits. You can eat chia seeds raw and enjoy their energy and nutrients, but eating a spoonful of chia seeds raw can also be unpleasant, as they might stick to your teeth and become dry.

Dry chia seeds can also be added whole or ground to smoothies and juices, mixed into yogurt and oatmeal, or sprinkled on top of a salad. If you’re adding the seeds to a drink or a “wet” dish like porridge, they’ll swell up slightly while you eat but retain a slight crunch.

But, if you’re fine drinking it straight from the faucet, then this water will be fine for your chia pudding too. It’s best to use cold water instead of hot or warm water. This will be safer if you are using a glass jar. Plus, chia seeds don’t need to be soaked in hot water.

Two tablespoons of chia seeds have almost 10 grams of fiber. That’s around 40 percent of the recommended daily intake. Diets high in fiber have been linked to weight loss. According to 2015 research , eating 30 grams of fiber daily may help you lose as much weight as if you followed a more complicated diet.

Chia seeds have a high content of phosphorous, a popular ingredient thought to encourage hair growth. A building block of protein, l-lysine is known to promote hair growth, and chia seeds offer an abundance of this. The seeds contain 9 essential amino acids related to stronger hair, skin, and nails.

“Chia seeds contain molecules with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which theoretically could be beneficial for both prevention of wrinkles, as well as the calming inflamed skin,” she says. “Yes, it’s a super food loaded with fatty omega-3 that expertly lubricates the skin,” says Rapaport.

To enhance chia seeds nutritional value, try sprinkling chia seeds on top of rice dishes, assorted vegetables or simply eggs. 4. Mix one tablespoon of chia seeds, a few drops of lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of water. Drink it every night before going to bed.