Products
Chia seeds are available in pharmacies, drugstores, grocery stores and health food stores, among others. They belong to the so-called superfoods.
Stem plant
Mexican chia, from the Lamiaceae family, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to South America, originating in Mexico and Guatemala. The seeds represented an important staple food for the Aztecs half a millennium ago.
Medicinal drug
Chia seeds are used as a medicinal drug (Salviae hispanicae semen). The fatty chia oil can be extracted from the seeds.
Ingredients
- Fatty oil (chia oil): the seeds are rich in essential unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (α-linolenic acid, ALA) and omega-6 fatty acids.
- Antioxidants: flavonoids
- Chia seeds contain a high protein content
- Carbohydrates
- Dietary fiber
- Minerals, vitamins
Effects
Chia seeds are believed to have various health-promoting properties. These include lipid-lowering, blood sugar-lowering, antioxidant and cardioprotective effects. Chia seeds may potentially contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, scientific evidence is still lacking (Ulbricht et al., 2009). Chia seeds are healthy, but most likely not a miracle cure.
Indications for use
- As food and dietary supplement, for example, for muesli, for the salad, as a breading or for the yogurt.
- In processed foods, for example, for baked goods such as bread, rolls and crispbread and for breakfast cereals.
- For the preparation of cool refreshing drink Chia fresca with water and fruit juice.
- As a thickener.
- For the supportive treatment of obesity (due to the satiating fiber).
- As animal feed, for example, for chickens and pigs.
Adverse effects
Chia seeds may cause allergic reactions in rare cases (García Jiménez et al., 2015).
