Food labels are great, but they can’t possibly tell you everything. There is so much more to chia than can fit on a typical food label! The vitamins and minerals found in chia that are not listed on the label provide great health benefits to your body and are well worth noting.
Here are the most common and important vitamins and minerals that chia offers but that may not be listed on the Nutrition Facts label:
Vitamin B1 (thiamin): Thiamin is one of eight B vitamins, all of which help the body convert food into energy. These B vitamins (often referred to as the vitamin B complex) are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly and are needed for good brain function. One 15 g serving of chia contains 8.4 percent of the vitamin B1 you need every day.
Vitamin B3 (niacin): Niacin is another of the eight B vitamins. It helps improve circulation. One 15 g serving of chia contains 8.9 percent of the vitamin B3 you need daily.
Folate (folic acid): Folate is essential for numerous bodily functions, such as synthesizing and repairing DNA. It’s especially important in aiding rapid cell division and growth, such as infancy and pregnancy. One 15 g serving of chia provides 1.8 percent of the folate you need every day.
Selenium: Selenium acts as an antioxidant in the body and helps prevent the buildup of free radicals in the blood that can damage cells. It’s also known to benefit the thyroid and aid the immune system. One 15 g serving of chia provides 11.8 percent of the selenium you need daily.
Zinc: Zinc is best known for its role in maintaining ideal hormone levels. It can help balance blood sugar levels and help strengthen the immune system. One 15 g serving of chia provides 5.7 percent of the zinc you need every day.