Salba is another name for chia seeds, an ancient nutritious supplement that is experiencing a rejuvenation. Salba seeds were a legendary part of the ancient Aztec diet. Warriors supposedly survived on the seed during conquests. Other ancient cultures used chia for substance on long journeys. These tiny black seeds -- the same ones used in chia pets -- offer a wealth of nutrients and possible protection against disease.
Properties
Whole salba seeds are about the size of poppy seeds. When ground, they form a dust-like powder that maintains all the nutrients of the whole seeds. They have a mild, nutty taste and a crunchy texture. When soaked in water, the seeds form a gel. Unlike flax seeds, you do not have to grind salba to release their nutritional value.
Nutrition
Salba contains 139 calories per 1-oz. serving. Of the 9 g of fat, only 1 g is saturated. Salba is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important to heart health and brain development. A 1-oz. serving also provides 4 g of high-quality protein. Salba contains 11 g of fiber per 1-oz. serving, much of which is soluble fiber. Salba seeds are also a source of calcium and a number of trace minerals.
Benefits
Salba seeds absorb up to 12 times their weight in water, making them useful for hydration. A study in "Diabetes Care" published in November 2007 found that a diet supplemented with salba for 12 weeks helped reduce blood pressure and maintain control over glycemic levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. The gel formed by salba seeds helps slow the digestion of carbohydrates and stabilize blood sugar. The type of omega 3 fatty acid in chia is well-absorbed by the body, suggests an animal study published in the 2007 issue of the "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism."
Uses
Ground salba seed can be added to cereals, salads, smoothies or baked goods. Add ground salba to chili or dips. Use ground salba to crust tuna steaks or as a crunchy ingredient in stir-fries.
References
- USDA Nutrient Database: Seeds, Chia Seeds, Dried
- "Diabetes Care"; Supplementation of Conventional Therapy With the Novel Grain Salba (Salvia Hispanica L.) Improves Major and Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes; Vladimir Vuksan, Ph.D., et al.; November 2007
- "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism"; Effect of Dietary Alpha-Linolenic Fatty Acid Derived From Chia When Fed as Ground Seed, Whole Seed and Oil on Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Rat Plasma; R. Ayerza Jr., et al.; 2007
- "Raw Food Cleanse"; Penni Shelton; 2010
- Living and Raw Foods; Chia Seed: The Ancient Food of the Future; William Anderson
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