Could Nutrients Found in Chia Based Products Help Prevent Cancer?

Leigh-Anne Wooten MS, RDN/LDN, FAND

Registered Dietitian

 

The big C word, Cancer.  Albeit scary, we do wield some power and control in lowering our chances of getting cancer.   While no one activity alone can prevent it, research shows that long term healthy food choices may decrease our risk of getting cancer by up to 15%.  

 

There are so many nutrients found in food that can support cancer prevention, but let’s focus in on two: omega-3 fatsand antioxidants both of which are found in abundance in chia.

 

Omega-3 Fats

There are a number of types of dietary fat: saturated, trans, mono and polyunsaturated. The names can get confusing!  Simply put, scientists named fats based on how they’re built, aka their chemical structure.  And while some, like saturated and trans-fats, are associated with an increased risk of cancer and chronic disease, others may have the opposite protective effect, and this includes omega-3 fats.  Omega-3’s are a group of essential fatty acids the body requires in order to both function and thrive. They’re called essential because our body can’t make them on their own, therefore we have to get them from our food. 

 

Researchers are still trying to figure out the many ways omega-3’s work in the body. One theory is that they help support a healthy weight and are anti-inflammatory, since we know that obesity and chronic inflammation are both risk factors cancer.

 

The most abundant source of plant-based omega-3’s is found in chia seeds and when we make SOW Chia Milk, SOW Chia Oil is one of the main ingredients.  By simply drinking a glass of chia milk, adding chia milk to your coffee, or even drizzling a tablespoon of SOW Chia Oil over your pasta, you’ll easily get your daily dose of omega-3’s!

 

Antioxidants

Moving on to another term we hear thrown around a lot, antioxidants. These are basically microscopic chemical compounds that counteract free radicals that can harm the cells in your body and lead to the creation of cancer cells, among other things. While the body makes its own antioxidants to help keep free radicals in check, they’re also found in abundance in plants including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds like chia.  Yet another reason to include SOW’s Chia Milk or Chia Oil into your daily routine.  Need some inspiration?  Try tossing your salad with this delicious Herb Oil.

 

Just remember that while no single food can cause OR prevent chronic disease, a healthy dietary pattern that includes nutrient dense foods like SOW’s Chia Milk and Chia Oil, is one of the best things you can do to support your body’s long-term health and wellness.