John Myers
A comparison of flaxseed and chia seeds
Flaxseed and chia seeds are often used in a similar way. Still, there are some differences that you should be aware of.
- Origin: Chia seeds are mostly imported to Europe, while flaxseeds are native to Germany. This means that if you want to do something for the environment, you should rather use flaxseed.
- Flavor: Flaxseeds have a very strong nutty flavor of their own. Chia seeds, on the other hand, taste more neutral and can be used in many ways.
- Proteins: The protein content in chia seeds is 17 percent, in flaxseeds it is 18 percent.
- Fat: With around 32 percent fat, chia seeds contain less fat than flaxseeds with around 42 percent fat.
- Carbohydrates: Chia seeds have about 8 percent digestible carbohydrates, while flaxseeds have almost none (about 0.5 percent)
- Minerals: Chia seeds contain 600mg of calcium, while flaxseeds only contain 235mg of calcium. Chia seeds also contain twice the amount of zinc, copper, and manganese as flax seeds (0.9mg; 2.7mg; 4.5mg).
- However, both seeds contain exactly the same amount of magnesium (about 345mg) and iron (about 8mg).
- Vitamins: Both superfoods contain only a few vitamins A, C, and K. Chia seeds contain 0.5 mg of vitamin E per 100g and flaxseed 3mg of vitamin E. However, flaxseeds contain three times as many vitamins B2 and B6 (0.56mg and 0.9mg). Whereas the chia seeds contain twice the amount of vitamin B1 (0.6mg).
- How do you eat the seeds – whole or ground?: Both seeds can be eaten whole or ground, according to taste. However, we recommend that you grind the superfoods fresh and do not buy them already ground so that they do not lose their valuable fats and vital substances.
