Basil Seeds Vs Chia Seeds – A Complete Comparison

Basil seeds and chia seeds have both been in the spotlight recently; largely due to the claim that they act as effective weight-loss aids, when consumed as part of a balanced diet. However, there seems to be a lot of confusion between the two; with some people even thinking they are one and the same.

In actual fact, there’s a lot of key differences between basil and chia seeds; and it’s a good idea to get the low-down on both food products before committing to buy.

Basil Seeds Vs Chia Seeds: The Key Differences

• They’re from different parts of the world.
• They’re consumed differently. This is the really significant difference. Basil seeds cannot be eaten without preparation. They need to be soaked for at least a couple of hours in water. However, chia seeds can be consumed both raw and soaked; depending on how you want to use them.
• Appearance. The seeds actually look quite different when you compare them. Basil seeds are black, tiny and round. Chia seeds are a little bit larger, more oval in shape, and come in a variety of colours; including grey, brown, white and black.
• Nutritional content. Both seeds offer certain nutritional benefits, but it’s generally thought that chia seeds are ‘better’ for you; as they contain antioxidants, fibre, calcium, protein and many other key minerals. However, basil seeds contain plenty of iron.
• Benefits to the body. Chia seeds help to maintain healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels in the body. Studies conducted on animals also indicate that they help lower cholesterol and promote improved cardiovascular health. Basil seeds, on the other hand, function well as a diuretic and aid digestion. The richness of the iron in basil seeds also helps to improve quality of the blood.
• Price. Basil seeds are hard to find and therefore more expensive than chia seeds.

Are They Any Good for Weight-Loss?

Many dieters are interested in the weight loss benefits of both basil seeds and chia seeds. Both are repeatedly linked online with dieting articles; with many promising miracle results.

Whilst neither of these seeds will produce sudden, effortless weight-loss, both can certainly be used as an effective aid to support your efforts to lose the excess pounds. The main dieting benefit of the seeds are their ability to help you feel more easily sated after eating. In simple terms, they help to fill you up, thus helping you to avoid snacking throughout the day!

When added to water, both chia and basil seeds swell considerably; which helps to fill the stomach and keep your body hydrated. However, it’s important to note that they are not a substitute for healthy eating. To get the most from your basil seeds or chia seeds, you’ll need also to ensure that you’re enjoying a balanced diet.