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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