Nutritional Value and Health Effects of Chia Seeds

Abstract

In this review, it is aimed to evaluate the effects on health by examining the general properties, nutritional composition and place of chia seeds in human nutrition. Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) is an annual plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It is widely consumed and has 42.1% carbohydrate, 16.5% protein, 30.7% fat and 34.4% dietary fiber content. Despite its high protein content, it is considered as a functional food that can be used by celiac patients because it does not contain gluten in its structure. Chia seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, the antioxidant phenolic compounds of chia seed play a protective role against various chronic diseases by supporting the oxidative balance in the cell. There are studies showing that chia seeds may regulate blood pressure, blood glucose levels, play role in cancer treatment, prevent obesity by reducing visceral abdominal fat, and provide improvement in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, more studies are needed on the long-term consequences of chia seed intake on human health.

Keywords

• Chia seeds
• cardiovascular system
• cancer
• obesity
• non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Chia Tohumunun Besin Değeri ve Sağlık Üzerine Etkisi

Abstract

Bu derleme çalışmada chia tohumunun genel özellikleri, besin bileşimi ve insan beslenmesindeki yeri irdelenerek sağlık üzerine etkisinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Chia tohumu (Salvia hispanica L.) Lamiaceae familyasına ait tek yıllık otsu bir bitkidir. Günümüzde yaygın olarak tüketilmekte olup %42.1 karbonhidrat, %16.5 protein, %30.7 yağ ve %34.4 diyet lifi içeriğine sahiptir. Yüksek protein içeriğine rağmen yapısında gluten içermemesi sebebiyle çölyak hastalarının da kullanabileceği fonksiyonel bir besin olarak kabul edilmektedir. Chia tohumu yağı içeriğindeki yüksek omega-3 çoklu doymamış yağ asitleri sayesinde antiinflamatuar özelliğe sahiptir. Ayrıca bileşimindeki antioksidan etki gösteren fenolik bileşikler, hücredeki oksidatif dengenin sağlanmasını destekleyerek çeşitli kronik hastalıklara karşı koruyucu rol oynamaktadır. Chia tohumunun kan basıncı, kan şekeri seviyesini düzenleyebileceği, kanser tedavisinde rol oynayabileceği, visseral abdominal yağlanmayı azaltarak obeziteyi önleyebileceği ve non-alkolik yağlı karaciğer hastalığını iyileştirebileceğine yönelik çalışmalar bulunmaktadır. Ancak chia tohumu tüketiminin sağlık üzerine uzun vadeli etkileriyle ilgili daha fazla çalışma yapılmasına gerek vardır.

Keywords

• Chia tohumu
• kardiyovasküler sistem
• kanser
• obezite
• non- alkolik yağlı karaciğer hastalığı

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