Chia seeds and their nutritional and therapeutic value
What it found
Chia seeds are a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fats, soluble fibre, protein and plant compounds.
The authors say this nutritional value is why chia is used to help prevent several non-infectious diseases.
What they found
Long history of use
Chia has been known for over 5,500 years and was one of the most important parts of the Maya and Aztec diet.
Nutritional makeup
Chia is a good source of polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6, and soluble dietary fibre. It also contains appreciable amounts of protein and plant compounds.
Diseases it is used for
The authors say chia's nutritional value is why it is used to help prevent several non-infectious diseases, including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
Ongoing research
Many scientific centres are currently researching the nutritional and therapeutic aspects of chia.
What the authors conclude
- They state that the aim of the article is to present the nutritional and therapeutic values of chia.
- They note that chia's nutritional value is the reason it is used in the prevention of several non-infectious diseases.
How it was done
Chia has been known for over 5,500 years and was a major part of the Maya and Aztec diet. The authors wanted to present what is known about its nutritional and therapeutic value.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of existing knowledge, not a new study in people or animals.
- It cannot show that eating chia prevents or treats any disease.
- It does not give amounts, doses or how long chia was used in any of the conditions mentioned.
The paper
- Title
- Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica): health promoting properties and therapeutic applications – a review
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Marcinek K, Krejpcio Z (2017). Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica): health promoting properties and therapeutic applications – a review. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny.PubMed 28646829
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error