Cardiovascular disease from heart disease and strokes claims the life of nearly 500,000 women annually, according to the organization Go Red for Women. That equals approximately 1,400 every day or 1 woman every minute of every day... as compared to the total of all 2200 deaths daily for both men and women according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
February is American Heart Month and the month kicks off February 3rd with National Wear Red Day, "a campaign to raise awareness to the fact that heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined."
In this, part 2 of a 4 part series, we are taking a closer look at the second of four (4) foods that are touted as "heart healthy" and reveal not only the dent to your calorie budget but if they are calories well spent!
#2 A "seedy" choice ...
Flax seeds have been in the spot light for several years due to their high content of an omega 3 fatty acid - the plant-derived Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA). ALA found in flax seeds have been found to aid in lowering both total cholesterol and LDL (lousy) cholesterol, plus blood pressure.
Over the past 3 years a new seed has begun to overshadow flax - the ancient Chia seed. This seed too brings approximately the same amount of ALA per serving as flax, PLUS the same heart healthy benefits.
With both seeds tallying in at ~50 calories per tablespoon, does it make a difference for weight control which you use?
For starters, flaxseeds must be ground into flax meal, to release their nutrients; but chia seeds do not. Soaking the chia seeds in water will form a gel which makes their use a smart strategy for weight management and a winner over flax seeds. The chia gel makes you feel full longer, helping you to stick to your plan of eating less food!
Since both of these tiny "seeds" have their own special health benefits,why not show "equal love" and variety by adding a tablespoon to your oatmeal, yogurt or smoothies.
Want to learn more about chia seeds? Click here for your copy of the FREE E-booklet "Chia Seeds" that includes 51 ways to use chia seeds and recipes.
Click here for part 1 of this series: Let's toast a "drink to my health" ...
Click here for part 3 of this series: King, Coho, Copper River, Sockeye ...
Click here for part 4 of this series: Pass the "Skinny Nuts" please ...
For additional information: Find out how much you know about other foods that "love your heart." Click here to take the heart healthy food Quiz "Take Action2HeartHealth."
Sources: American Heart Association, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), merriam-webster.com/dictionary, Go Red for Women ORG, mayoclinic.com, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thefreedictionary.com, medterms.com, RD411 Heart Healthy Quiz: How Much Do You Know? RD411
