Nutritional and Medicinal Benefits of Salvia hispanica L. (Chia): A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Salvia hispanica L., commonly known as chia, is an ancient pseudocereal that originated in Mesoamerica and has been utilized by indigenous civilizations for thousands of years. In recent decades, chia has gained significant international attention due to its exceptional nutritional profile and diverse pharmacological properties. This comprehensive review synthesizes current scientific evidence regarding the botanical characteristics, phytochemical composition, nutritional value, and therapeutic applications of chia seeds. The plant is characterized by high concentrations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (55-65% of total oil content), complete protein containing all essential amino acids, dietary fiber (27-30%), and numerous polyphenolic antioxidants including rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and flavonoids. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated significant cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the traditional uses documented in historical codices, modern scientific validations of claimed benefits, and emerging therapeutic potentials for chronic disease management. Current evidence suggests that chia seeds and their derivatives represent a valuable functional food with considerable nutraceutical potential for preventing and managing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic disorders. However, further clinical trials are warranted to establish optimal dosing regimens and safety profiles in specific patient populations. This review consolidates information from recent peer-reviewed literature to provide practitioners and researchers with evidence-based knowledge regarding chia’s therapeutic significance in contemporary healthcare and nutrition sciences.

Introduction

The text presents a comprehensive review of Salvia hispanica L. (chia), highlighting its historical significance, botanical characteristics, rich phytochemical composition, and wide-ranging pharmacological properties. Rising rates of chronic non-communicable diseases have renewed interest in chia as a functional food with both traditional use and strong scientific validation.

Historically cultivated by Aztec and Mayan civilizations for nutrition, medicine, and rituals, chia declined after the Spanish conquest but has re-emerged globally due to evidence of its exceptional nutritional value. Botanically, Salvia hispanica belongs to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, is an annual herb with distinctive leaves, flowers, and small hydrophilic seeds that form a gelatinous mucilage when hydrated.

Nutritionally, chia seeds are exceptionally dense in bioactive compounds. They contain 28–32% lipids, dominated by omega-3 fatty acids (especially alpha-linolenic acid), a favorable omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, 18–24% high-quality protein with a complete amino acid profile, and 27–30% dietary fiber, resulting in a very low glycemic index. Chia is also rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamin E.

Pharmacologically, chia demonstrates potent antioxidant activity, protecting against oxidative stress through free-radical scavenging and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. It exhibits strong cardioprotective effects, including blood pressure reduction, lipid profile improvement, anti-inflammatory action, and reduced thrombotic risk. Chia also shows antidiabetic properties by lowering postprandial glucose, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing oxidative damage associated with hyperglycemia.

Additional evidence supports anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, and anti-obesity effects, mediated through mechanisms involving omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, bioactive peptides, and dietary fiber. Emerging research further suggests benefits for liver health, bone protection, reproductive health, and potential neuroprotection, though some areas require further investigation.

Conclusion

Salvia hispanica L., commonly known as chia, represents a nutrient-dense plant-based food with extraordinary potential for supporting human health and preventing chronic disease. Centuries of indigenous utilization, followed by modern scientific investigation spanning several decades, have established chia as a genuine functional food capable of exerting multiple beneficial pharmacological effects through diverse biochemical mechanisms. The exceptional nutritional profile of chia seeds—comprising complete protein, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids at concentrations rivaling marine sources, high-quality dietary fiber, comprehensive mineral content, and abundant antioxidant polyphenolic compounds—provides a biochemical foundation supporting the numerous documented pharmacological properties. The mechanisms of action underlying chia’s beneficial effects operate at multiple biological levels, from direct antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities at the molecular level, to complex immunomodulatory and metabolic effects operating at the cellular and systems physiology levels. The evidence supporting cardioprotective effects is particularly robust, with documented mechanisms including blood pressure reduction, favorable effects on lipid metabolism, endothelial function improvement, platelet aggregation reduction, and comprehensive anti-inflammatory activity. The antidiabetic properties of chia have been extensively investigated, demonstrating effects on multiple facets of glucose homeostasis including postprandial glucose control, insulin sensitivity enhancement, and protection against hyperglycemia-induced oxidative damage. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties position chia as potentially valuable for managing inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, with animal models demonstrating therapeutic potential in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis-like models. The emerging evidence regarding anticancer properties, antimicrobial and antifungal activity, and neuroprotective potential suggests additional therapeutic applications requiring further clinical investigation. The capacity of chia to support weight management through satiety enhancement and metabolic optimization positions the plant as valuable for addressing obesity and related metabolic dysfunction. Traditional applications in supporting women’s health and athletic performance have begun receiving scientific validation, though additional research is warranted. However, several important caveats and areas requiring additional investigation merit emphasis. While the evidence base is generally supportive, the quality of clinical evidence varies, with many studies conducted in animal models rather than human subjects. Published clinical trials, while increasingly numerous, often involve relatively small sample sizes and relatively short intervention durations. The optimal dosing regimens for different health outcomes remain incompletely defined, with studies employing varying doses from 12 to 50 grams daily. Individual variation in response to chia supplementation requires recognition, with some individuals benefiting markedly while others demonstrate minimal response. The calcium bioavailability from chia, despite high calcium content, is lower than from some sources due to the presence of phytic acid and other bioavailability-reducing compounds, requiring consideration when chia is relied upon as a primary calcium source. The potential for adverse effects including digestive discomfort, allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, and possible interactions with certain medications warrants clinical consideration and appropriate patient screening. The possible exacerbation of cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, identified in one study, requires careful interpretation and further investigation before chia is recommended as a therapeutic intervention for neurodegenerative diseases. Future research directions should include: (1) adequately powered, long-duration randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating chia’s effects on hard endpoints including cardiovascular events, cancer incidence, and mortality; (2) investigation of optimal dosing regimens and identification of patient populations most likely to benefit from chia supplementation; (3) mechanistic studies elucidating the precise molecular pathways through which chia bioactive compounds exert their effects; (4) investigation of bioavailability and metabolism of chia’s bioactive compounds following oral consumption; (5) evaluation of potential drug-herb interactions affecting therapeutic efficacy of conventional medications; and (6) investigation of potential adverse effects and establishment of safety profiles in diverse patient populations. In conclusion, Salvia hispanica L. represents an exceptional plant-based food with remarkable nutritional density, comprehensive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and well-documented therapeutic potential for preventing and managing multiple chronic diseases. The convergence of historical usage spanning millennia, traditional knowledge documented in indigenous cultures, modern scientific investigation validating claimed benefits, and demonstrated pharmacological properties through multiple mechanistic pathways establishes chia as a legitimate and valuable component of comprehensive preventive and therapeutic healthcare strategies. When integrated thoughtfully into balanced dietary and lifestyle approaches, chia seeds offer potential for enhancing health outcomes and supporting longevity. However, recognition of individual variation in response, understanding of chia’s proper role as a complementary dietary component rather than a replacement for conventional medicine, and ongoing scientific investigation of emerging applications remain essential for optimizing therapeutic benefits while ensuring safety.21,22,23,24,25

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Dr. Sushma Chaudhary, Aparna Tiwari, Anshika Chaudhary, Anshika Jaiswal, Arpit Bajpai, Akash Kumar, Dr. Alok Kumar Shukla, Dr. Sunita . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.