Cranberry Lemonade with Chia Seeds (Chia aqua fresca)

Category: The drinks

Ingredients
Cranberry	1 tbsp.
Chia seeds	2 tbsp. l.
Honey or agave syrup	1-2 tbsp. l
Lemon juice	1 st. l.
Filtered water	2 tbsp.

Cooking method

Aguas frescas, and in our opinion, non-alcoholic lemonades with the addition of various fruits, berries, plants, flowers and seeds, are very loved and popular in Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. Lemonades made with hibiscus or tamarind flowers with the addition of horchata are especially popular. (I'm announcing the horchata recipe). You can refresh yourself with these natural and healthy lemonades from street vendors, but expensive restaurants do not shy away from adding them to their menus.
The use of chia seeds is especially popular in Mexico, and the good thing is that in addition to the vitamins that the berries bring to lemonade, they contain, thanks to chia seeds, protein and omega-3. This makes lemonade not only a refreshing and vitamin drink, but also very nutritious. Chia seeds swell within an hour in lemonade, and at the end we get something similar to a light jelly with the taste of the ingredients in the drink.
Such lemonades, different in taste, have long been produced on an industrial scale, but there is nothing better than homemade lemonade with your favorite taste.
In this case, the cranberry version is offered. done is elementary.
Preparation
- Scroll the washed cranberries in a blender with water and filter.
- Add lemon juice and honey or agave syrup to taste.
- Add chia seeds and leave for an hour and a half to swell.
- Serve chilled. Adjust the sweetness to your taste.
I already did it with lingonberries and pineapple. I put the version with klukovaya as an example of the most affordable lemon with seeds. Maybe try with flax?

Note

Syrup from Agave juice - a natural and healthy sugar substitute with the lowest glycemic index, high sweetness and neutral taste. Obtained from a cactus plant native to Mexico. and it is worth paying special attention to those who have embarked on the path of construction.

CHIA seeds (shia) is a nutritious and environmentally friendly product that has been proven for over 4000 years! Modern scientists have come to the conclusion that pre-Columbian diets based on the use of CHIA are significantly better than the best diets of our time.

If you soak 1 teaspoon of CHIA seeds in a glass of water and leave for 30-40 minutes, a homogeneous mass is formed, similar to jelly or helium, due to the high content of delicate, soft and highly soluble dietary fiber. When this gel enters the stomach, it creates a physical barrier between digestive enzymes and carbohydrates, which promotes the slow conversion of carbohydrates into sugars, and this allows long-term maintenance of low blood sugar. Needless to say, how important this is in preventing and controlling diabetes. The slow conversion of carbohydrates stabilizes the metabolism and helps to maintain a high energy level of cellular structures and the entire body as a whole.

Due to its unique composition and properties, CHIA helps the rehabilitation and recovery of athletes and bodybuilders by improving the regeneration of the musculoskeletal system, relieving inflammation and pain in muscles and joints, ultimately reducing recovery times and significantly increasing the level of athletes' physical abilities.

ChIA seeds never, even after many years of storage, do not form the characteristic "fishy" smell and taste that almost all other products have - sources of Omega-3. The percentage of Omega-3 in CHIA oil reaches 64%!

Chia seeds are rich in calcium, which is necessary for the normal development and functioning of the musculoskeletal system in children, athletes, to prevent osteoporosis and mitigate its effects, especially in women during menopause. 100 g of ChIA seeds contain up to 870 mg of calcium, while milk contains no more than 125 mg. Calcium is fully assimilated by the body due to the presence of boron in the seeds of ChIA, which acts as a catalyst for the absorption and assimilation of calcium.

Chia seeds are also an excellent source of essential micronutrients such as:
phosphorus (up to 1050 mg) - for the normal functioning of the nervous system, memory;
potassium (700-900 mg) - prevents muscle cramps, normalizes and stabilizes blood pressure;
zinc - activates the immune system, improves muscle function, plays an essential role in reproduction;
magnesium (400-460 mg) - improves the absorption of potassium and calcium, increases energy, very important for athletes;
iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and some others, which are important components for the formation of many enzymes and hormones and the activity of the endocrine system.

ChIA seeds also contain a large amount of various vitamins - A, B1, B2, B3, which play an important role in the development of the body, metabolism, activity of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Moreover, the consumption of ChIA grains causes a rapid and significant decrease in the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, which, in turn, significantly reduces the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels, normalizes blood pressure (especially in hypertensive patients), and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The next wonderful property of CHIA seeds - and the only one in the entire plant world - is the ability to absorb, absorb a huge amount of water - 12 (!) Times its own weight. This ability to absorb and retain water helps to prolong and maintain hydration in all body fluids, especially during physical activity. This fluid retention and retention ensures the normal distribution and transfer of electrolytes across cell membranes, which contributes to normal cell balance (equilibrium) and function.

Contraindications

Chia seeds are contraindicated for people with low blood pressure, with individual intolerance. They should be used with caution during pregnancy and lactation, while taking medications that thin the blood. Another side effect that can be observed is gas and bloating. Do not forget to listen to yourself and remember: there should be a measure in everything!

Chia is similar in many ways to our regular flax, but is more suitable for sweet dishes. In this regard, it can be assumed that if you have a good reaction to flax, then chia will be good for you. ( 🔗)