CHIA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

When you hear "chia," you may think of "Chia Pets." These are clay figures sold in the US that support the growth of chia sprouts. But chia has a much longer history as a medicinal herb. It originated in Mexico and was cultivated by the Aztecs. Today, chia is grown commercially in Central America and South America. It is grown mainly for its seed, which is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.

People use chia seed for diabetes, athletic performance, high blood pressure, heart disease, and itching, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Chia seeds contain a large amount of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. Researchers think omega-3 fatty acids and fiber help reduce risk factors for heart disease.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Ineffective for

Obesity. Consuming chia seeds mixed with water twice daily before meals for 12 weeks does not seem to reduce body weight or blood pressure in people who are overweight or obese. Also, eating milled or whole chia seeds daily for 10 weeks does appear not improve body weight or blood pressure in overweight women.

Insufficient Evidence for

Athletic performance. Early research suggests that trained athletes who drink a beverage containing 50% of calories from chia seeds (Green Plus Omega 3 Chia seeds) and 50% from Gatorade for 2 days before completing an endurance exercise perform similarly to athletes who drink just Gatorade alone.
Diabetes. People who have diabetes are more likely than other people to develop heart disease and stroke. Some early research shows that people with diabetes can lose weight and improve some "markers" of heart disease and stroke risk by eating a type of chia called Salba (Salba Smart Natural Products). However, eating Salba does not affect all heart disease and stroke risk factors and does not seem to reduce body fat or blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
High blood pressure. Early research suggests that taking 35 grams per day of chia flour for 12 weeks reduces blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. It seems to work best in people already taking medicine to lower their blood pressure.
Build up of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Early research suggests that taking 25 grams per day of ground chia seeds for 8 weeks may reduce the amount of fat in the liver and slightly lower body mass index (BMI).
Itching. Early research shows that applying lotion containing chia seed oil to the skin for 8 weeks reduces itching.
A grouping of symptoms that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke (metabolic syndrome).
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of chia for these uses.

View References

REFERENCES:

Adams, J. D., Wall, M., and Garcia, C. Salvia columbariae contains tanshinones. Evid.Based.Complement Alternat.Med 2005;2(1):107-110. View abstract.

Adams, J. D., Wang, R., Yang, J., and Lien, E. J. Preclinical and clinical examinations of Salvia miltiorrhiza and its tanshinones in ischemic conditions. Chin Med 2006;1:3. View abstract.

Ayerza, R. and Coates, W. Dietary levels of chia: influence on yolk cholesterol, lipid content and fatty acid composition for two strains of hens. Poult.Sci 2000;79(5):724-739. View abstract.

Ayerza, R. Oil content and fatty acid composition of chia (

Ayerza, R., Jr. and Coates, W. Effect of dietary alpha-linolenic fatty acid derived from chia when fed as ground seed, whole seed and oil on lipid content and fatty acid composition of rat plasma. Ann Nutr Metab 2007;51(1):27-34. View abstract.

Bushway, A. A., Belyea, P. R., and Bushway, R. J. Chia seed as a source of oil, polysaccharide, and protein. Journal of Food Science 1981;46(5):1349-1350.

Espada, C. E., Berra, M. A., Martinez, M. J., Eynard, A. R., and Pasqualini, M. E. Effect of Chia oil (Salvia Hispanica) rich in omega-3 fatty acids on the eicosanoid release, apoptosis and T-lymphocyte tumor infiltration in a murine mammary gland adenocarcinoma. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 2007;77(1):21-28. View abstract.

Justo, M. B., Alfaro, A. D., Aguilar, E. C., Wrobel, K., Wrobel, K., Guzman, G. A., Sierra, Z. G., and Zanella, Vda M. [Integral bread development with soybean, chia, linseed, and folic acid as a functional food for women]. Arch Latinoam.Nutr 2007;57(1):78-84. View abstract.

Reyes-Caudillo, E., Tecante, A., and Valdivia-López, M. A. Dietary fibre content and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds present in Mexican chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds. Food Chemistry 2008;107(2):656-663.

Wang, X., Morris-Natschke, S. L., and Lee, K. H. New developments in the chemistry and biology of the bioactive constituents of Tanshen. Med Res Rev 2007;27(1):133-148. View abstract.

Yang, X. F., Wang, N. P., and Zeng, F. D. [Effects of the active components of some Chinese herbs on drug metabolizing-enzymes]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 2002;27(5):325-328. View abstract.

Zhou, L., Zuo, Z., and Chow, M. S. Danshen: an overview of its chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical use. J Clin Pharmacol 2005;45(12):1345-1359. View abstract.

Brouwer IA, Katan MB, Zock PL. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid is associated with reduced risk of fatal coronary heart disease, but increased prostate cancer risk: a meta-analysis. J Nutr 2004;134:919-22. View abstract.

Chicco AG, D'Alessandro ME, Hein GJ, Oliva ME, Lombardo YB. Dietary chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) rich in alpha-linolenic acid improves adiposity and normalises hypertriacylglycerolaemia and insulin resistance in dyslipaemic rats. Br J Nutr. 2009;101(1):41-50. View abstract.

Finnegan YE, Minihane AM, Leigh-Firbank EC, et al. Plant- and marine-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have differential effects on fasting and postprandial blood lipid concentrations and on the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative modification in moderately hyperlipidemic subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:783-95. View abstract.

Guevara-Cruz M, Tovar AR, Aguilar-Salinas CA, et al. A dietary pattern including nopal, chia seed, soy protein, and oat reduces serum triglycerides and glucose intolerance in patients with metabolic syndrome. J Nutr. 2012;142(1):64-9. View abstract.

Ho H, Lee AS, Jovanovski E, et al. Effect of whole and ground Salba seeds (Salvia Hispanica L.) on postprandial glycemia in healthy volunteers: a randomized controlled, dose-response trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013;67(7):786-8. View abstract.

Illian TG, Casey JC, Bishop PA. Omega 3 Chia seed loading as a means of carbohydrate loading. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(1):61-5. View abstract.

Jeong SK, Park HJ, Park BD, Kim IH. Effectiveness of Topical Chia Seed Oil on Pruritus of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients and Healthy Volunteers. Ann Dermatol. 2010;22(2):143-8. View abstract.

Nieman DC, Cayea EJ, Austin MD, et al. Chia seed does not promote weight loss or alter disease risk factors in overweight adults. Nutr Res. 2009;29(6):414-8. View abstract.

Nieman DC, Gillitt N, Jin F, et al. Chia seed supplementation and disease risk factors in overweight women: a metabolomics investigation. J Altern Complement Med. 2012;18(7):700-8. View abstract.

Vuksan V, Whitham D, Sievenpiper JL, et al. Supplementation of conventional therapy with the novel grain Salba (Salvia hispanica L.) improves major and emerging cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes: results of a randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care 2007;30:2804-10. View abstract.

EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (EFSA NDA Panel), Turck D, Castenmiller J, de Henauw S, et al. Safety of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) as a novel food for extended uses pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J. 2019 Apr 17;17(4):e05657. View abstract.

EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), Turck D, Castenmiller J, et al. Safety of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) powders, as novel foods, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J. 2019 Jun 12;17(6):e05716. View abstract.

Estilai A, Hashemi A. Chromosome number and meiotic behavior of cultivated chia, Salvia hispanica (Lamiaceae). Hort Sci 1990;25(12):1646-1647.

García Jiménez S, Pastor Vargas C, de las Heras M, Sanz Maroto A, Vivanco F, Sastre J. Allergen characterization of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica), a new allergenic food. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2015;25(1):55-6.

Illian TG, Casey JC, Bishop PA. Omega 3 Chia seed loading as a means of carbohydrate loading. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(1):61-5. View abstract.

Ixtaina VY, Nolasco SM, Tomas MC. Physical properties of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds. Ind Crops Prod 2008;28(3):286-293.

Medina-Urrutia A, Lopez-Uribe AR, El Hafidi M, et al. Chia (Salvia hispanica)-supplemented diet ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its metabolic abnormalities in humans. Lipids Health Dis. 2020 May 19;19(1):96. View abstract.

Nieman DC, Cayea EJ, Austin MD, et al. Chia seed does not promote weight loss or alter disease risk factors in overweight adults. Nutr Res. 2009;29(6):414-8. View abstract.

Nieman DC, Gillitt N, Jin F, et al. Chia seed supplementation and disease risk factors in overweight women: a metabolomics investigation. J Altern Complement Med. 2012;18(7):700-8. View abstract.

Svec I, Hrusková M. Hydrated chia seed effect on wheat flour and bread technological quality. Agric Eng Int 2015;23(4):259-263.

Toscano LT, da Silva CS, Toscano LT, de Almeida AE, Santos AC, Silva AS. Chia flour supplementation reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2014 Dec;69(4):392-8.

Vuksan V, Choleva L, Jovanovski E, et al. Comparison of flax (Linum usitatissimum) and Salba-chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds on postprandial glycemia and satiety in healthy individuals: a randomized, controlled, crossover study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2017;71(2):234-8. View abstract.

Vuksan V, Jenkins AL, Brissette C, et al. Salba-chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in the treatment of overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2017;27(2):138-46. View abstract.

Chronic Conditions Common in Minorities

Think You Have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Navigating Life With Migraine

Alternative Treatments for Migraines

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS CENTER

DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS CENTER

FIRST AID RESOURCES

RELATED TO VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

CHIA

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Ineffective for

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Dosing

You Might Also Like

WebMD Special Sections

Health Solutions

More from WebMD