Seeds of beauty

Over the last year it’s been hard to open a magazine without reading about the nutritional benefits of chia seeds, with Miranda Kerr and Gwyneth Paltrow among the many celebrities singing their praises.

It now appears that the seeds, which are produced by a flowering plant native to Central and South America, can do more than simply add nutrients to our diets, as dermatologists claim they could offer genuine anti-aging benefits for our skin.

Over the last few years those in the beauty world have come to recognise the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for the health of our skin. The essential fatty acids act as building blocks for skin cells and are important in the maintenance of the skin’s natural barrier, helping keep moisture locked in and wrinkles at bay.

Chia seeds have been found to be one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids on the planet and thus offer a natural and easy way to boost levels of these skin boosting nutrients.

That’s not all. Chia seeds also contain vitamin B3, which is known to be a powerful anti-oxidant and to help fight off oxygen free radicals, some of the main culprits thought to cause aging skin.

Put omega-3 and vitamin B3 together in one small package and it’s easy to understand why chia seeds could offer very real anti-aging benefits and why they were once worshipped by the Aztecs as a food of the gods.

Where to buy chia seeds

One of the UK’s leading brands of chia seeds is produced by Naturya. The seeds they use are grown across 30 farms in South America, with production platforms in Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. The production process is standardised to provide a consistently high quality product and the farms are carefully inspected and support is provided for the farmers, with training, harvesting and sales assistance.

Naturya Chia Seeds are available from leading health stores and more information on how to include them in your diet can be found on their website at naturya.com.