Salba Grain Baked Into Udi's New Gluten-Free Breads

Denver, Colorado – Salba Smart® is proud to announce that Udi’s Gluten Free Foods has added nutrient-rich Salba to two of its new breads. Udi’s new Gluten-Free Omega-Salba Ancient Grain Bread, and Udi’s Gluten-Free Millet-Chia Bread both contain Salba, which is enjoying rising popularity as a functional ingredient in health foods.

Salba is the most nutrient dense and most nutritionally consistent form of chia on the market today. A blend of the only two registered varieties (Sahi Alba 911 and 912) of Salvia hispanica L., Salba’s tiny white seeds pack a big nutritional benefit. Gram for gram, Salba contains eight times more Omega-3s than salmon, six times more calcium than milk, three times more iron than spinach, and 30 percent more antioxidants than blueberries.

Because it is naturally gluten-free and neutral tasting, Salba is an ideal whole food for allergy sufferers, and can be added to everyday foods, as well as baked goods, for an optimum nutritional boost.

“Salba’s ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids is 4:1, which helps to restore the essential balance of fatty acids needed for good health,” said Rally Ralston, managing partner of Salba Smart. “The average American diet generally contains far too few omega-3s, and far too many omega-6s, which over time can result in health problems such as heart disease, cancer and inflammation. Added to healthful, gluten-free breads, Salba contributes ‘calming’ omega-3s in levels far higher than you’d find in other fatty acid sources such as salmon and walnuts,” noted Ralston.

Salba’s nutritional profile also offers those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance a range of additional benefits. With four times the fiber of flax seed, Salba serves as an exceptional replacement for the fiber that is often lacking in a gluten-free diet. Its ability to absorb 14 times its weight in water ensures that it moves slowly through the digestive tract making it possible to feel satisfied for longer. Salba is also rich in calcium and magnesium, which helps to restore nutritional deficiencies that result from impaired absorption, while aiding in intestinal healing.

Salba is the only strain of chia that has undergone intensive peer reviewed clinical research with proven beneficial results. Led by Dr. Vladimir Vuksan at the University of Toronto, this research has demonstrated that Salba can help Type 2 diabetics to reduce cardiovascular risks and inflammation, and to lower blood pressure and blood glucose. Current research is evaluating how Salba’s proven ability to reduce appetite and increase satiety could translate to weight loss.

“We are delighted that Udi’s Gluten Free Foods has incorporated Salba into these two delicious breads because it really is Nature’s perfect whole food,” said Rally Ralston. “It’s an ideal ingredient for those following a gluten-free diet, and offers many additional benefits to anyone who wants to improve their overall nutrition,” he noted.

Udi’s Gluten-Free Omega-Salba Ancient Grain Bread (14.20 oz), and Gluten-Free Millet Chia Bread (12.0 oz), can be found in the grocery store freezer section or displayed in the bakery aisle.

Salba is fast becoming a key functional ingredient: it can be found in HAPPYBABY’ s HAPPYTOT™ fruit and veggie mixes, as well as in its new HappySqueeze line, which will launch in July 2011. Salba Smart’s Whole Grain (12.7oz) and Ground Salba (6.4oz) can be sprinkled on to everyday foods to boost their nutritional value, as well as used in cooking and baking. Salba Smart products, including tortillas, tortilla chips, pretzels, salsa and baked potato crisps, can be found at Whole Foods Market, Kroger/King Soopers, Vitamin Cottage and other natural foods stores. They can also be ordered online at http://www.efoodpantry.com and http://www.salbasmart.com.

About Udi’s

Denver-based Udi’s Healthy Foods includes Udi’s Natural Artisan Granola and Udi’s Gluten Free Foods line of gluten-free baked goods. All of Udi’s products are created fresh in Colorado using only the highest-quality wholesome ingredients. For more information, please visit http://www.udisglutenfree.com or call 303-657-6366. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/udisglutenfree and Twitter @udisglutenfree. Be Udiful!

About Salba Smart Natural Products, LLC

Formed in 2006 by growers and manufacturers, Salba Smart's mission is to develop and market innovative food products rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids and nutrients that combine great taste and nutrition clinically proven to improve health. Salba Smart Natural Products, LLC is a privately held company headquartered at P.O. Box 16106, Denver, Colorado 80216. Tel: 303-999-3996. For more information visit http://www.salbasmart.com or Facebook.

Source: Udi’s