Margaret Conover, PhD
Margaret Conover, PhD, botanist and science educator, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, and cofounder of the Long Island Botanical Society. She is founder of www.chiativity.org.
Every year at this time, you start seeing commercials for Chia Pets… those clay animals that grow “grass” for hair. The butt of jokes for many a comedian, it turns out that Chia Pets may have the last laugh since research shows that their seeds are actually good for you.
The chia plant is also known as Salvia hispanica, which is one of a variety of species of Salvia. The seeds from the plant are a plentiful source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. One ounce of dried chia seeds contains 11 grams of fiber, four grams of protein and almost five grams of omega-3 fatty acids — even more abundant levels than in highly touted flaxseed. With their slightly nutty taste, the seeds can be sprinkled into foods or ground into a flour to be used with other flours for baking. Chia is a good source of calcium (179 mg per ounce) whereas a cup of milk contains 276 mg. Chia is also good for digestion due to its high fiber content.
Some research supports health claims for a particular chia variety called Salba, which is cultivated through special breeding with only white S. hispanica seeds. In one study on its cardiovascular benefits in those with type 2 diabetes, published in Diabetes Care, Salba lowered blood pressure, decreased hemoglobin A1c (a measure of blood sugar control) and significantly reduced an important measure of inflammation called C-Reactive Protein (CRP).
Chia Pets manufacturer Joseph Enterprises has not sought FDA approval and says they are therefore not able to promote Chia Pets and Chia Heads as foods, but the company’s Web site does provide assurance that the chia seeds are not treated with chemicals or fertilizers. Chia seeds are also sold in health food stores.
Nutritionist Susan Mudd, MS, CNS, says that in some ways chia seeds are even better for you than flaxseed — they have similar benefits and the chia seeds actually have even more antioxidants. They’re a good alternative for people who don’t get their omega-3s through fish or flaxseeds.
As for our furry friends? They turn out to be more than just a silly gift. Enclose a copy of this article… and you may introduce the recipient to a brand new kind of health food!
