Is Chia the World’s Newest Supergrain?

Wesley Ferrell

4-22-08

Salvia hispanica

• Family Lamiaceae(Mint)

• Genus Salvia (Sage)• Summer-annual

Ch-ch-ch Chia!

• Introduced, 1981• Joseph Enterprises

History

• 3500 B.C.• Ancient Aztecs• Used for medicine, food

and oil• Consumed whole, as

flour, and as a beverage• “running food”• Accepted as tribute

Modern Reappearance

• 1990’s Study by Dr. Vladimir Vukas

• Type II diabetes• 10mm systolic/5mm

diastolic drop in B.p.• 32% decrease in c-

reactive protein (CRP)• Decreased fibrinolytic

factors (blood thickening)

Antioxidants

• Chlorogenic acid• Caffeic acid• Myricetin• Quercetin • other flavonols

Omega-3 fatty acids

• Highest whole food source

• 100% daily recommended intake

• 3.5oz Chia vs 28 oz Atlantic Salmon

• B.p., heart attack, arthritis, cardiac arrhythmia, depression

• ALA, EPA, DHA• Omega-6/Omega-3

ratio• 14-25 times more

Omega-6 in average diet

Omega-3 and Egg production

• 1995 study, chickens feed chia seeds

• chia vs flaxseeds and fish oil

• increased Omega-3 levels with no off-flavor

Dietary Fiber

• 30% daily recommended intake

• Soluble fiber forms gelatin in water

• May form physical barrier in stomach

• Carbohydrate digestion is slowed

• Stabilizes blood sugar• Increased energy• sense of fullness

Other Benefits

• Absorbs 12-14 times its weight in water– prolongs hydration

– helps maintain electrolytes

• 6x more calcium than whole milk

• 3x more iron than spinach

• as much vitamen C as 7 oranges

• 15x more magnesium than broccoli

Conclusions

• More research to come

• Will soon adopt a more prominent role in nutritional diets

• Soon to be marketed in tortilla chips, breads, muffins, cookies, and salsa

References• Ayerza, R, and W. Coates. “Dietary levels of chia: influence on hen

weight, egg production and sensory quality, for two strains of hens.” British Poultry Science 43 (2002):283-290

• “Chia Seed: The Ancient Food of the Future.” www.living-foods.com/articles/chia.html

• Kreiter, Ted. “Seeds of Wellness: Return of a Supergrain.” Saturday Evening Post. 40 (2005): 106-107.

• “Omega-3 Fatty Acids.” University of Maryland Medical Center. Www.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm

• “Salvia hispanica L.”United States Department of Agriculture. Http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAHI6

• Sellman, Sherrill. “Salba: A Gift from the Ancient Aztecs.” Total Health Magazine. 29.1: 52-53