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Have you ever owned a Chia Pet?  Maybe you got one as a present, or thought they were so cute, you went out and bought one for yourself.  Did you know the seeds used to grow a Chia Pet is a superfood that athletes are turning to in order to increase performance?

Chia, also known as Salvia Hispanica, is a plant native to Mexico and Guatemala.  It was historically used by the Aztecs as a healthy drink and food source.  Nutritionally, chia provides twice as much protein as any other seed or grain, five times more calcium than milk, two times more potassium than bananas, three times more antioxidants than blueberries, three times more iron than spinach, is very high in fiber, is a high source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Plus they are gluten free and vegan.

The benefits that athletes have seen in using chia are numerous and include the following:

• Easily digested and absorbed
• Build muscle and lean tissue
• Energize endurance sports
• High in fiber, calcium, protein, antioxidants, and iron
• Help retain hydration and electrolytes

Not only are chia seeds a great post-workout recovery source, because they contain slow digesting proteins and carbohydrates; they have been shown to be a good option for a pre-snack workout as well.  When studied in endurance athletes, chia proved to provide the energy required for these types of demands on the body.

Not an athlete? Chia seeds are beneficial in lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugars in diabetics, reducing appetite/cravings, and reducing overall inflammation in the body as well.  Of course, researchers are constantly studying more about the chia seed and it’s health benefits and recent findings are favorable for this mighty little seed!