Chia vs Sabja seeds: How are they different?

For all the weight watchers out there, Chia and Sabja seeds are some of the most popular foods. They are usually consumed after soaking them in water and are said to boost the weight loss process. With their common appearance, most people either think they are the same or can’t differentiate between the two. Read on to know the health benefits of these seeds and what’s the difference between them.

Chia seeds come all the way from central and southern Mexico. They are loaded with fibre, Omega-3 and proteins. Chia seeds can boost your energy, stabilize blood sugar levels and are highly recommended for weight loss.

One tablespoon of chia seeds contain the following nutrients-

Calories- 60, Total fat- 2.5 grams, Omega 3 fat- 1,240 mg, Total carbs- 7 grams, Dietary fibre- 7 grams, Protein- 2 grams, Calcium- 15% of the daily intake, Iron- 10% of the daily intake and Magnesium- 10% of the daily intake.

Sabja seeds, also called Basil seeds are native to India and the Mediterranean region. These seeds are known to cool down the body and recommended to have during scorching summer months. Sabja seeds can combat acidity, improve hair health, detoxifies your body and keeps your gut healthy.

One tablespoon of sabja seeds contain the following nutrients-

Calories- 60, Total fat- 3 grams, Omega 3 fat- 2,880 mg, Total carbs- 5 grams, Dietary fibre- 5 grams, Protein- 3 grams, Calcium- 8% of the daily intake, Iron- 9% of the daily intake and Magnesium- 8% of the daily intake.

The main difference is that Sabja seeds are black in colour and round in appearance while Chia seeds are grey, white, black in colour, oval in shape and slightly bigger than Sabja seeds. While chia seeds take time to absorb water, Sabja seeds swell up instantly after soaking in water. Chia seeds can absorb 10 times their weight and usually settle down by forming a gel-like texture at the bottom of the glass. Sabja seeds on the other hand swell up after mixing with water by forming a translucent coat around them.

You can soak both Chia and Sabja seeds in water and have them. Chia seeds are also added to smoothies and shakes to enhance their taste. Sabja seeds can be added to lemonade, summer drinks and salads as they give a slightly minty flavour to the beverage. While Chia seeds can be consumed raw or soaked, Sabja seeds must always be consumed after soaking.

While there are several studies to prove that chia seeds help in weight loss, there are limited studies to prove the effectiveness of basil seeds.

The nutritive power of both Chia and Sabja seeds are more or less the same. You can have any of the two seeds soaked in a cup of water for 30 minutes before lunch and dinner to fasten your weight loss process. Having these seeds increase the feeling of satiety and prevents you from indulging in overeating.