Kamrun Nahar
Department of Environmental Science and Management North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Corresponding Author Email: nahar.kamrun@northsouth.edu
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51470/JPB.2025.4.1.06
Abstract
The Chia seed plant (Salvia hispanica L.) is an annual cereal crop, gaining attention in recent years, all over the world as super food for its power in human health. Chia is an annual, small-seeded herbaceous plant and an important source of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. In tropical and subtropical climates, the cultivation and usage of chia seeds have grown tremendously due to their higher nutritional and medicinal value, containing healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, dietary fiber, proteins, and some important vitamins. Besides, the seeds are an excellent source of antioxidants and polyphenols such as myricetin, quercetin, caffeic and rosmarinic acid, and others. In recent years, researchers both in developed and developing countries have been researching the agronomic aspects and investigating the benefits of the mentioned seeds in the pharmaceutical, medicinal and food industries. In this study, an extensive overview of the nutritional properties to produce chia seed is discussed. This review article highlights the benefits of chia seeds, their antioxidants and nutritional values in human health and to use for maximum benefits along with the agronomic aspect of these potential seeds. High nutritional profile with tremendous health benefits, part of an overall healthy diet that improves blood lipid profile in humans.
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Introduction:
Chia, a seed-bearing grain crop, scientific name Salvia hispanica, and a member of the Lamiaceae family. The seeds of the plant are filled with large amounts of dietary fiber, essential fatty acids -omega 3, and plenty of high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and minerals including antioxidantsThese important materials having a variety of benefits to boost the metabolism of human health, supporting teeth and bones health, improves digestive and cardiac health, reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels, improves the immune system and boosting weight loss including reduction of inflammation of human body
Besides having medicinal values/ properties, the seeds are used to prepare bread, cake, chips, Frankfurter, ice cream, and pudding including adding in drinks providing lot of energy to keep our body fit .The oil after extraction of seed could also be used as a nutritious addition in smoothies and other meals, and support brain health as the fatty acids have neuroprotective effects that lead to reduced risk of stork, depression and Alzheimer’s disease including care of skin, hair and anticancer medicinal drug-related activities.
Agronomy:
The chia seeds, oval-shaped about 2 millimeters wide, tiny with a combination of black, grey, brown and white (Fig 1) considered as superfood as packed up with nutritional value and gaining attention in now a dayall over the world.
Chia seeds can germinate in different types of soil including different media as soilless cultures(Fig 2)and can be cultivated commercially from both seeds and seedlings.
However, growing plantlets from seeds can be the best part of propagating as they can germinate and grow in any substratum/ media (Fig 3 &4). Just sprinkle the seeds over the media, watering and after 3 days it will be germinated.
Leaves of the plant are oppositely arranged, green, and thick, and have serrated (toothed) margins containing long petioles with net venation (Fig 5). It grows well in temperatures between 20-36 degrees Celsius, however, at higher temperatures germination and also the growth and development rates are higher compared to lower (Fig 6).
Nutritional values:
Chia seeds have tremendous nutritional value.100 grams of Chia seeds contain about 485 calories,6% water, 31 grams of heart-healthy fats ( omega 3 fatty acids), 34 gm dietary fiber, 42 grams of carbohydrates, 0 g sugar, 16 g proteinincluding including important amino acids as lysine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, valine, and histidine .
Sources and Important uses:
Sources of Fiber, vitamins and minerals: Chia seeds contain insoluble fiber like cellulose a potential part of humans’ daily diet, which helps to regulate the digestive system and remove harmful chemicals and waste materials from the body.
Vitamins are crucial micronutrients that keep the body’s cells functioning. Seeds of chia are also an important source of protein, soluble fats with vitamins like A, D, E, K including vitamins B complex like thiamine (B1), and riboflavin (B2). niacin(B3), biotin (B7), folic acid(B9) and cyanocobalamin (B12). Like vitamins, minerals are also essential inorganic components for healthy body functions growth of biological systems and building of strong bones. Besides, chia seeds are rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, copper, selenium, etc as essential minerals.
Sources of antioxidant and Omega 3:
Antioxidants (polyphenols and carotenoids) and Omega 3 are very important components for the proper functioning of the human body. Antioxidants generally protect the body cells from damage by slowing down the process of oxidation. Thus, seeds of chia are considered as important source of antioxidants, benefit the heart and liver and protect from early aging and certain types of cancer Besides, seeds containing high omega 3 fatty acids, these fats play an active and vital role in digestion, helping to reduce blood pressure, risk of obesity including overall body functioning (Fig 7).
Hair: Chia seeds contain essential amino acids, zinc and copper, prevent thinning of hair and thus helping hair growth
Nervous system: Chia seeds contain omega 3 fatty acids including B vitamins which support, and nourish the brain and help the nervous system to work efficiently
Circulatory system: Components of chia seeds helps to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and platelet aggregation including improving the efficiency of oxidation work as a blood thinner and ultimately protecting from cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Respiratory system: Chia seeds are a good source of omega 3. Fatty acids of omega 3, act as active inflammatory nutrients with protective effects in inflammatory diseases. Therefore, to maintain healthy lungs we should take chia.
Digestive system: The soluble fiber of chia seeds helps to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol, slow down the digestive process, including the prevention of blood sugar spikes after having a meal and provide a feeling of fullness. Besides, the fiber helps the stomach to produce good bacteria, keeping the digestive system to work properly.
Urinary System: Good source of unsaturated fats help to offer bladder-supporting properties with anti-inflammatory benefits
Reproductive system: Unsaturated Fatty acids of chia seeds, regulate hormones, promote ovulation and improve uterine and reproductive health
In recent years, it has been used as a popular and nutritious ingredient in many food items all over the world to achieve potential health benefits
Add in meals:
To add in salad: Sprinkle chia seeds over the favorite and delicious salad every day to incorporate the nutritional benefits including reducing the urge to overeat, which helps reduce the weight
As oatmeal:
As a cereal, chia seeds could be used as a nutritious and preferred oatmeal at breakfast, which help to keep the stomach full and reduce hunger for a longer time which ultimately slow down the digestion of carbohydrates.
To prepare smoothies: Mixing chia seeds in drinks, especially in smoothies or other beverage recipes will help to boost fibers and nutrients in our body
To prepare chia peanut butter: To prepare a smooth paste to spread on toast or bread, could be prepared by chia seeds with peanut or any nut butter mixed in a blender until smooth to add in morning diet.
To prepare baking goods: By adding chia seeds in dough of flour before baking to prepare tasty bread, cakes, muffins etc will provide extra fiber, and healthy fats including protein to the baked items.
To add in soup: Before serving one teaspoonful of chia seed could be stirred to add into hot soup to enjoy the added thickness and keep feeling full
Chia seed pudding: A pudding of chia seed is a nutritious and delicious dessert that helps to support healthy heart. To prepare a creamy nutritious pudding of the chia seeds needs to mixing the mentioned seeds with evaporated milk including desired flavorings and keep the mixture to sit overnight.
Conclusion:
In the context of a developing country like Bangladesh with a huge population we need to grow more, make it popular, and provide the farmers the necessary support regarding chia seed cultivation, production and commercialization for the international market as the chia seeds are a high nutritional valued cereal crop with demand in the international market so that more farmers will be interested in the cultivation of chia seed as a profitable crop and the expanding cultivation by farmers will reduce our dependency on import of this important cereal crop.
The commercial cultivation of superfood chia seeds (salvia hispanica), in some areas of Bangladesh, has been giving new hope to farmers in Bangladesh with good yield as a result of favorable weather conditions instead of growing tobacco for three times with less profit, especially in hilly areas of Bangladesh and attracting more farmers for cultivation of this superfood seeds. Cultivation is mostly expanded in the hill tracts of the Chittagong district bringing a new revolution in the area as it is easy to cultivate and highly profitable compared to regular crops cultivation in hilly areas due to the possibility of mitigating risk factors related to pest and diseases. Therefore, chia seed cultivation shows promise in hilly areas and opens a new window for earning foreign currency for local farmers as well as exporters.
Nowadays, chia becoming a more popular cereal and annual crop because of its potential benefits for the betterment of human health,as lower blood pressure, and blood sugar with improved blood lipid profile, which help to boost up the immune system. Thus, adding chia seeds to our daily diet has tremendous health benefits to maintain and achieve a healthy life.
Declarations:
Conflicts of interest
The author declares that there are no conflicts of interest exist
Funding statement
No funding was received for conducting this study
Data availability
No data were used for the review manuscript described in the article
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