Chia seeds

Salvia hispanica (Chia) are seeds commonly used to supplement dietary fiber and are claimed to have other health promoting properties. Its mechanical properties may provide use during baking and the fiber content good for bowel health with health promoting effects not yet demonstrated.

Quick Answer

What it is

Salvia hispanica (Chia) are seeds commonly used to supplement dietary fiber and are claimed to have other health promoting properties. Its mechanical properties may provide use during baking and the fiber content good for bowel health with health promoting effects not yet demonstrated.

Key findings

  • Grade C: Appetite (Metabolic Health)
  • Grade C: Itching (Skin Health)
  • Grade D: Blood glucose (Metabolic Health)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Chia seeds

Quick Facts: Chia seeds

  • Best Evidence:Grade C
  • Conditions Studied:8
  • Research Outcomes:76
  • Key Effect:Metabolic Health
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B0
C2
D7
8 conditions Β· 76 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
C
Appetite
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
none
?
HbA1c
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
3 studies
↑Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Inflammation
1 study
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
C
Itching
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Skin Dryness
1 study
↑Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
none
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Weight
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
3 studies
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Inflammation
1 study
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
none
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Weight
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
3 studies
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
none
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Weight
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
3 studies
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Fibrinogen
1 study
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
none
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Weight
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
3 studies
↓Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
none
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Inflammation
1 study
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
D
Blood glucose
No effect
none
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Inflammation
1 study
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
↓Improves
?
Itching
↑Improves

Related Supplements

Fish Oil

9 shared conditions Β· 448 outcomes

Fish oil is a mix of mostly EPA and DHA derived from fatty fish. It reduces triglycerides, but does not seem to affect the rate of cardiovascular events. It appears to reduce the symptoms of depression and improve some painful, inflammatory conditions.

Cocoa Extract

9 shared conditions Β· 269 outcomes

Cocoa, a powder that is rich in polyphenols, is used to make chocolate. Cocoa products can have effects like lowering blood pressure and inflammation and have resulted in small improvements to some outcomes in cardiovascular disease.

Saffron

8 shared conditions Β· 390 outcomes

Saffron is a spice with antioxidant properties derived from the flowering plant Crocus sativus. When used as a supplement, saffron seems to be effective at reducing symptoms of depression and possibly anxiety.

Resveratrol

8 shared conditions Β· 318 outcomes

Resveratrol is a bioactive molecule found in plant sources such as grapes, peanuts, blueberries, and, famously, red wine. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that benefit cardiovascular function, glycemic control, and lipid metabolism. Although it’s promoted for lifespan extension, there’s no evidence for this in humans and limited evidence in animals.

Green Tea Extract

8 shared conditions Β· 110 outcomes

Green tea extract is obtained from green tea leaves and contains high levels of flavonoids, catechins like EGCG, and often caffeine. It might reduce oxidative stress biomarkers and cardiovascular disease risk factors and improve cognitive function. However, the quality of evidence is low to moderate, and high doses can cause liver damage.

Curcumin

8 shared conditions Β· 502 outcomes

Curcumin is the primary bioactive substance in turmeric. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate symptoms of depression as well as improve pain and function in people with osteoarthritis.

Coenzyme Q10

8 shared conditions Β· 268 outcomes

Coenzyme Q10 is a molecule found in mitochondria that has a critical role in producing energy for the body. It also plays an important role in the endogenous antioxidant system.

L-Carnitine

8 shared conditions Β· 558 outcomes

L-carnitine can relieve leg pain in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and treat some aspects of metabolic syndrome. Although it’s often also used for fat loss, its effectiveness for that is questionable.