Abstract
Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) are small seeds that develop on an annual herbaceous plant. Recently, there has been tremendous growth in the use of chia seeds because of their associated medicinal as well as high nutritional values. Initially, chia cultivation took place in Mesopotamian cultures, eventually disappearing for some centuries before being rediscovered in the mid-20th Century. In this paper, the main aim has been to provide an overview of chia seed in relation to its perceived medicinal properties. From the majority of scholarly affirmations, it has been established that some of the compounds that chia seeds contain, explain its associated healthful effects include minerals, vitamins, proteins, dietary fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and ω-3 fatty acids. Also, the literature contends that chia seeds are excellent sources of antioxidants and polyphenols, which include quercetin, myricetin, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid. Around the world, therefore, more and more scholarly investigations have focused on some of the beneficial effects of chia seeds, including the food, pharmaceutical, and medicinal industries. In this paper, it has been established that chia seeds have their medicinal properties gained in terms of pharmacological activities that include steatohepatitis and acute dyslipidemia improvement, sensory attributes, bioactive peptide and protein source, metabolic profile, and antioxidant and appetite suppressing properties. Important to note is that while most studies concur regarding these medicinal properties, in a few investigations, findings suggest that chia seeds do not pose significant beneficial effects, especially concerning health improvements in human subjects. As such, there is a need for future research to examine some of the parameters that could explain this variation, upon which more valid and informed conclusions and inferences might be made.
Highlights
Referred to as Chia, Salvia hispanica L. exists as an ancient food, providing balanced amounts of minerals, high content of antioxidants, proteins with amino acids in excellent quantity, high omega-3/-6 fatty acids, and insoluble fiber [1]
This paper has provided an overview of Chia seeds in relation to their medicinal properties
Most of the studies concur that Chia seeds exhibit active compounds that explain their antioxidant and antihypertensive potential
Summary
Referred to as Chia, Salvia hispanica L. exists as an ancient food, providing balanced amounts of minerals, high content of antioxidants, proteins with amino acids in excellent quantity, high omega-3/-6 fatty acids, and insoluble fiber [1]. From scholarly reports [6], marginal variations exist between white and black Chia seeds, with most considering them as equal. It was established that Chia forms a promising ingredient because of αlinolenic acid that exists in the highest amount, making it easier to add to commercial food [10]. In other studies, it has been observed. It has been documented that in Canchones and Valle de Azapa, which exhibit desert conditions, the regions have offered better conditions that have, in turn, promoted oil production (> 550 L ha-1), the highest yield ((> 2900 kg ha-1), and plant growth. At a higher altitude, such as the context of Las Cruces, the yield has been
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
