How to turn chia seeds into a brain superfood

You’ve probably seen them floating in lemon water, sitting pretty in overnight oats, or stuck in your teeth after a smoothie. Yep, we’re talking about chia seeds — those tiny black specks that have somehow made their way from Aztec warrior diets to your modern-day pantry.But did you know that chia seeds can actually boost your brainpower when used the right way?Chia seeds are like tiny brain-boosting bombs packed with:In fact, just 1 tablespoon of chia seeds gives you around 5 grams of ALA Omega-3 — that’s more than what you get from flaxseeds or walnuts. "Chia seeds are rich in a type of omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The body cannot produce ALA its own, so it must be obtained through food. Consuming ALA has been linked to a decreased heart disease risk," a Harvard report says.A found that chia seed based diet has a positive impact on the cognitive healthin humans. This was proven in particular not only by the two tests with high significance but also by the memory task, which indicates that a dietary intake of Salvia hispanica L can positively impact memory abilities. The study published in the Journal of Neurodegenerative Disorders explored to what extent the intake of chia seeds may have favourable effects on schoolchildren, students or Alzheimer’s patients."With all appropriate scientific caution, it appears to be evident thus far that in an aging society, dealing with the increase of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, the daily consumption of Salvia hispanica L is highly recommendable," the researchers said.Always soak them first. Chia seeds absorb up to 12 times their weight in water, turning into a gel-like consistency. Soaked chia is easier to digest, which means your body can better absorb all those brain-friendly nutrients.Mix 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with half a cup of water or almond milk. Let it sit for 20 minutes (or overnight in the fridge).To prepare a chia seed bowl take soaked chia pudding or Greek yogurt + chia gel or oatmeal + stirred-in chia. For toppings you can choose blueberries, walnuts, dark chocolate shavings, banana slices and pumpkin seeds.Before you start a chia seed rich breakfast for your brain, here are a few warnings you must know:So the next time you see chia seeds and think, “What am I supposed to do with this again?” — just remember, these tiny seeds are packed with brain fuel. It's all about soaking, pairing, and playing with flavors.