Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.): Botany, phytochemistry and health benefits

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) belongs to the family Lamiaceae have a variety of minerals, vitamins and shown to have beneficial effects in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, as well as acting as an antioxidant, anti-anxiety, laxative, anti-depressant, analgesic, and strengthen the immune system. Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an annual herb of medium duration (103–136 days) belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is a short-day plant with strong sensitivity to photoperiod and temperature. Various types of soil are suitable for cultivation of this crop, but plants do best in sandy and well-drained soil with optimal pH of 6.0–8.5 and are adapted to low nutrient concentrations. Due to presence of minerals, lipids (omega-3), fibers, proteins, and antioxidants, chia seed showed health benefits. Chia seeds were Introduced to India by the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in 2015 at Mysuru, Karnataka, it has swiftly spread across the country, including Karnataka's Kalyan-Karnataka region, owing to its rich nutritional profile and medicinal properties. Chia seed contains a high concentration of antioxidants such as kaempferol, caffeic-acid, myricetin, chlorogenic-acid, and quercetin that are known to have anti-hepatic, anti-cardiovascular, anti-aging, and anti-carcinogenic qualities. Chia seeds have also been linked to therapeutic benefits. Chia seeds have high dietary fibre content aids with diabetes management and digesting. The gluten free protein and vitamins in its PUFA have therapeutic effects in the control of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, as well as acting as an anti-oxidant, anti-blood clotting, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, laxative, analgesic, immune system, and vision improver. Chia seeds can be added to food to improve nutritional quality, and a diet rich in chia seeds can help to prevent disease owing to its phytochemical profile, high nutritional value and great therapeutic potential.