Effect of chia seeds or concentrated fish oil on cardiometabolic risk markers in subjects with hypertriglyceridaemia: a parallel clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in reducing high blood triglyceride (TG) levels have been well demonstrated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of chia seeds on blood TG and its associated cardiometabolic factors in hypertriglyceridaemic individuals. METHODS: This three-group randomised controlled trial compared the effects of a low-calorie diet (n = 22), a low-calorie diet with chia seeds (30 g/day, n = 22) or a low-calorie diet with concentrated fish oil (1.8 g/day of n-3 long-chain PUFAs, n = 22) in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia. Anthropometrics, fasting blood lipids, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, insulin, adiponectin, leptin and interleukin-6 levels were measured. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, the mean reduction in weight exhibited by the three groups was not statistically different (2.0, 2.7 and 2.8 kg, respectively, for the control, fish oil and chia seed groups). The plasma TG decreased in both the chia seed and fish oil groups in comparison to the control group (p = 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the chia seed and fish oil groups (change from baseline mean: 145.2 and 136.7 mg/dL for the chia seed and fish oil groups, respectively). The consumption of chia seeds was associated with a reduction in diastolic blood pressure (change from baseline mean: 8.4 mmHg) compared to the other two groups. No significant alterations were observed in the other blood biochemical factors between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In people with moderate hypertriglyceridaemia, a low-calorie diet with 30 g of chia seeds compared to fish oil supplements containing 1.8 g of long-chain PUFAs has a similar effect on reducing plasma TG levels, whereas it has a higher blood pressure-lowering effect.

Virus Infection Induces Immune Gene Activation with CTCF Anchored Enhancers and Chromatin Interactions in Pig Genome.

Chromatin organization is important for gene transcription in pig genome. However, its three-dimensional (3D) structure and dynamics are much less investigated than those in human. Here we applied the long-reads chromatin interaction analysis by paired-end tag sequencing (ChIA-PET) method to map the whole-genome chromatin interactions mediated by CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and RNA polymerase Ⅱ (RNAPⅡ or POLⅡ) in porcine macrophage cells before and after polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [Poly(I:C)] induction. Our results revealed that Poly(I:C) induction impacts the 3D genome organization in the 3D4/21 cells at the fine-scale chromatin loop level rather than at the large-scale domain level. Furthermore, our findings underscored the pivotal role of CTCF anchored chromatin interactions in reshaping chromatin architecture during immune responses. Knock-out of the CTCF locus further confirmed that the CTCF anchored enhancers are associated with the activation of immune genes via long-range interactions. Notably, ChIA-PET data also supported the spatial relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the related gene transcription in 3D genome aspect. Our findings in this study provide new clues and potential targets to explore key elements related to diseases in swine and are also likely to shed light on elucidating chromatin organization and dynamics underlying the process of mammalian infectious diseases.

The Effect of Chia Seed on Blood Pressure, Body Composition, and Glycemic Control: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

CONTEXT: Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects on metabolic factors of consuming chia seeds. However, the results of clinical trials have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials to explore the effects of chia seed consumption on body weight (BW), body composition, blood pressure, and glycemic control. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search was conducted on the Scopus, PubMed, Medline via Ovid, ISI Web of Science, and Scholar Google databases up to August 2023. DATA EXTRACTION: The outcomes of interest included systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), BW, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). DATA ANALYSIS: Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CIs were used to determine the effect size. RESULTS: A total of 8 eligible studies were included in the analysis. The findings revealed a significant reduction in SBP (WMD: -7.19 mmHg; 95% CI, -10.63 to -3.73; P < .001) and DBP (WMD: -6.04 mmHg, 95% CI, -9.58 to -2.49; P = .001). However, no significant effects were observed on BW, body fat percentage, WC, BMI, FBG, and HbA1c. Subgroup analysis indicated that the effect of chia seed on SBP was significant in participants with a baseline SBP of less than 140 mmHg, but the effect was not dependent on the administered dose. CONCLUSION: Chia seed consumption has positive effects on SBP and DBP but does not significantly impact BW, body composition, or glycemic parameters. However, the limited amount of data from included studies should be considered as a limitation while interpreting these findings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023462575.

Effects of chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) supplementation on cardiometabolic health in overweight subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a significant public health issue associated with various chronic diseases. Research has indicated that chia seeds have the potential to improve cardiometabolic health. However, due to the diversity of research and inconsistencies in study design, further investigation is needed to fully understand their clinical effects on overweight individuals. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the available evidence on the effects of chia seeds on cardiometabolic indices in overweight populations through a meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases from their inception until 01-03-2024 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of chia on cardiometabolic indices in overweight subjects. The search strategy incorporated both Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Following the screening, ten RCTs were finally included. The data, including subject characteristics, study design, and changes in serum biomarkers, were extracted and analyzed using Stata software version 18. RESULTS: The meta-analysis results reveal that chia supplementation no significant changes in lipid profile, including triglycerides (TG) (MD: - 5.80 mg/dL, p = 0.47), total cholesterol (TC) (MD: - 0.29 mg/dL, p = 0.95), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (MD: 1.53 mg/dL, p = 0.33), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (MD: 0.63 mg/dL, p = 0.88). Similarity fasting blood glucose (FBG) (MD: - 0.03 mg/dL, p = 0.98), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (MD: - 0.13%, p = 0.13), and insulin levels (MD: 0.45 µIU/mL, p = 0.78). However, chia seed supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) (MD: - 1.18 mg/L, p < 0.0001), but no significant changes were observed in interleukin-6 (IL-6) (MD: - 0.15, p = 0.70) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (MD: 0.03, p = 0.91). There was no significant effect on body mass index (BMI) (MD: 0.1 kg/m2, p = 0.91), but a significant reduction in waist circumference (WC) (MD: - 2.82 cm, p < 0.001) was noted. Additionally, chia seed supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (BP) (MD: - 3.27 mmHg, p = 0.03), though diastolic BP changes were non-significant (MD: - 2.69 mmHg, p = 0.09). The studies showed low to moderate heterogeneity in outcome measures, with I2 < 50%. CONCLUSION: Chia seed supplementation does not significantly impact most lipid profile parameters and glycemic markers. However, it shows potential benefits in reducing WC, BP, and CRP. While chia seeds can be a valuable addition to cardiometabolic health management, they should be part of a broader health strategy that includes a balanced diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications for optimal results.

Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica) Attenuates Chemically Induced Lung Carcinomas in Rats through Suppression of Proliferation and Angiogenesis.

In 2022, 2.5 million cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, resulting in 1.8 million deaths. These statistics have motivated us to introduce a new natural product which is feasible in lung cancer therapies. This comprehensive study was performed to study the effects of chia seed extracts (70% ethanol and petroleum ether) on lung cancer in vitro and in vivo models. The invitro cytotoxicity activity of the chia extracts was studied in lung cancer cell lines (A549 cells). After 48 h, chia alcohol and ether extracts showed more inhibitory influence (IC50, 16.08, and 14.8 µg/mL, respectively) on A549 cells compared to Dox (IC50, 13.6 µg/mL). In vivo, administration of chia alcohol and ether extracts (500 mg/kg/day, orally for 20 weeks) recovered 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung cancer, as a significant reduction in the lung cancer biomarkers, including the relative weight of the lung (20.0 and 13.33%), ICAM(31.73 and 15.66%), and c-MYC (80 and 96%) and MMP9(60 and 69%) expression genes, and improvement in these changes were observed by histopathological examinations of the lung tissues compared to the lung control. Chia seeds fought lung cancer via suppression of proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and activation apoptosis. These activities may be attributed to the chemical composition of chia, which is identified by LC-Mass, such as caffeic acid, vanillic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, and taxifolin. Finally, we can conclude that chia seeds have an anti-lung cancer effect with a good safety margin.

Chia gum-gelatin-based encapsulation of chia sprouts phenolic compounds enhanced storage stability, bioavailability, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties.

Chia seeds are currently gaining popularity as functional and healthy foods. The developed chia 7-day sprout phenolic extract (CSP) is an abundant supply of highly concentrated antioxidant phenolic compounds with health-promoting and antibacterial properties. The easy destruction against different environmental changes and low bioavailability of these phenolic compounds are the main limitations of their applications/utilization. This study aims to microencapsulate the phenolic compounds of developed CSP for use as valuable functional food additives. Three microcapsules were prepared using coating materials, chia gum (CG), gelatin (G), and their mixture (CG/G) via the freeze-drying technique. The prepared CG-, CG/G-, and G-microcapsules demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency percentages of 97.0, 98.1, and 94.5%, respectively. They retained most of the CSP-phenolics (91.4-97.2%) and increased total antioxidant activity (108-127.1%). The prepared microcapsules released more CSP-phenolic compounds into the simulated intestinal stage (70-82%) than the gastric stage (15-24%), demonstrating that the coating materials enhance protection during the gastric stage. The produced microcapsules exhibited higher storage stability at 40 °C for 60 days than the non-capsulated CSP, indicating that the encapsulation provided enhanced stability. The prepared microcapsules microstructures showed uniform, smoother surfaces, and hidden micropores compared to their coating material microstructures. In addition, the connection between the functional groups of coating materials and CSP-phenolic compounds was demonstrated by FTIR analysis. The prepared CG-, CG/G-, and G-microcapsules can perfectly inhibit the α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities by 65, 68, 60 and 74, 78, and 70%, respectively, compared to CSP (54, and 66%). The three prepared microcapsules displayed better antibacterial with low MBC values (0.36-0.68 mg ml-1) compared to CSP (0.53-0.74 mg ml-1). The prepared CSP microcapsules can be incorporated into various food products to enhance their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties.

Extraction of mucilage polysaccharides from chia seed by hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents-based three-phase partitioning system: A phase behavior-driven approach.

By incorporating the hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) into the three-phase partitioning (TPP) technique, a TPP-based method was developed to extract the chia seed polysaccharide (CSP) from chia seed. Through a single-factor experiment and response-surface model, the optimal condition for the TPP extraction was determined as DES composed of dodecanoic acid and octanoic acid in a 1:1 M ratio, (NH4)2SO4 concentration of 32.86 %, crude extract-DES ratio of 0.93 (v/v), aqueous phase pH of 4.38, extraction temperature of 35 °C, and extraction time of 10 min. The polysaccharide yield of the constructed TPP method is 8.65 %, which is higher than the conventional water extraction method (yield is 6.96 %). Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the phase behavior of proteins and polysaccharides in the TPP system, showing that noncovalent interactions play a crucial role in the TPP system. The CSP obtained by the TPP method exhibits distinctive composition, structural, physicochemical, and functional properties, leading to improved thermal stability, rheological behavior, and antioxidant performance. Compared with the traditional extraction method, efficient extraction of CSP can be achieved flexibly using the proposed TPP approach, resulting in high yield and quality of CSP, which provides a new path for the large-scale utilization of chia seed.

Functional Muffins Exert Bifidogenic Effects along with Highly Product-Specific Effects on the Human Gut Microbiota Ex Vivo.

GoodBiome™ Foods are functional foods containing a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis HU58™) and prebiotics (mainly inulin). Their effects on the human gut microbiota were assessed using ex vivo SIFR® technology, which has been validated to provide clinically predictive insights. GoodBiome™ Foods (BBM/LCM/OSM) were subjected to oral, gastric, and small intestinal digestion/absorption, after which their impact on the gut microbiome of four adults was assessed (n = 3). All GoodBiome™ Foods boosted health-related SCFA acetate (+13.1/14.1/13.8 mM for BBM/LCM/OSM), propionate (particularly OSM; +7.4/7.5/8.9 mM for BBM/LCM/OSM) and butyrate (particularly BBM; +2.6/2.1/1.4 mM for BBM/LCM/OSM). This is related to the increase in Bifidobacterium species (B. catenulatum, B. adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum), Coprococcus catus and Bacteroidetes members (Bacteroides caccae, Phocaeicola dorei, P. massiliensis), likely mediated via inulin. Further, the potent propionogenic potential of OSM related to increased Bacteroidetes members known to ferment oats (s key ingredient of OSM), while the butyrogenic potential of BBM related to a specific increase in Anaerobutyricum hallii, a butyrate producer specialized in the fermentation of erythritol (key ingredient of BBM). In addition, OSM/BBM suppressed the pathogen Clostridioides difficile, potentially due to inclusion of HU58™ in GoodBiome™ Foods. Finally, all products enhanced a spectrum of metabolites well beyond SCFA, including vitamins (B3/B6), essential amino acids, and health-related metabolites such as indole-3-propionic acid. Overall, the addition of specific ingredients to complex foods was shown to specifically modulate the gut microbiome, potentially contributing to health benefits. Noticeably, our findings contradict a recent in vitro study, underscoring the critical role of employing a physiologically relevant digestion/absorption procedure for a more accurate evaluation of the microbiome-modulating potential of complex foods.

The impact of chia seeds on diabetes, blood pressure, lipid profile, and obesity indicators: Systematic review and meta-regression analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials.

This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis sought to investigate the impact of chia seed supplementation on obesity indicators and metabolic factors. Through a thorough search of relevant studies up to April 2024, 14 clinical trials involving 835 participants were included in the analysis. The findings revealed a notable decrease in triglyceride levels across both higher and lower doses of chia seeds, with weighted mean differences (WMD) of -8.69 mg/dL and -13.11 mg/dL, respectively. Additionally, a statistically significant reduction in LDL-C levels was observed solely in the higher dosage group, showing a WMD of -4.77 mg/dL. Moreover, although the decrease in systolic blood pressure (-2.78 mmHg) compared to the control group was statistically significant, it was only observed with the higher dosage. These results suggest that chia supplementation may offer beneficial effects on dyslipidemia, hypertension, and body weight, potentially mitigating the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Effects of chia (Salvia hispanica. L) on anthropometric measures and other cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Findings of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of chia are inconsistent. Although previous meta-analyses summarized available findings in this regard, some limitations may distort their findings. Moreover, none of these meta-analyses examined the dose-response association of chia on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs). Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of chia consumption on CMRFs. METHODS: Relevant RCTs were included by searching the ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases up to June 2, 2023. Mean differences (MD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using random-effects model. RESULTS: Ten publications were included in this systematic review and the meta-analysis. The results showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD = -7.87 mmHg; 95 % CI: - 12.92 to - 2.82; I2 = 71.3 %, P heterogeneity = 0.004), diastolic blood pressure (MD = -6.33 mmHg; 95 %CI: - 7.33 to - 5.34, I2 = 0 %, P heterogeneity = 0.42) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (MD = -4.09 mg/dl; 95 %CI: - 6.76 to - 1.43, I2 = 12.4 %, P heterogeneity = 0.33). However, the effects of chia on the other risk factors were not significant. Based on the dose-response analysis, a 10-g/d increase in chia consumption significantly reduced SBP (MD = -2.20 mmHg; 95 %CI: - 3.75 to - 0.66, I2 = 78.9 %, P heterogeneity < 0.001) and HDL-c (MD = -1.10 mg/dl; 95 %CI: - 1.72 to - 0.49, I2 = 0 %, P heterogeneity = 0.52). CONCLUSION: Chia consumption might have a beneficial effect on lowering blood pressure. Chia consumption can also lead to a slight reduction in HDL-c levels. As the quality of the included studies was mostly low, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Well-designed trials with larger sample sizes and longer duration of follow-up are needed to provide additional insight into the dose-dependent effects of chia consumption.

Selected Mesoamerican Crops - Anti-Obesity Potential and Health Promotion. A Review.

Mesoamerica is the center of origin of a great number of food crops that nowadays are part of a healthy diet. Pre-Columbian civilizations utilized more than 90% of these foods as ingredient or in main dishes, as well as for remedies and religious ceremonies. Since several years ago, Mesoamerican foods have been recognized by their outstanding concentration of bioactive compounds, including, phenolic compounds, pigments, essential fatty acids, amino acids, peptides, carbohydrates and vitamins, which provide a great number of health benefits. As a result of their unique composition, these ancient crops have several positive effects, such as hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, neuroprotective, anti-diarrheal, and anti-hypercholesterolemic capacity. Hence, this review is focused mainly in the anti-obesity and antioxidant potential of some of the most cultivated, harvested, as well as commercialized and consumed, food crops native of Mesoamerica, like, nopal and its fruit (Opuntia ficus indica spp.), chia (Salvia hispanica L.), pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) and cacao (Theobroma cacao).

Shotgun proteomics profiling of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) reveals genotypic differential responses to viability loss.

Introduction: Exposure to elevated temperatures and relative humidity expedites the seed aging process, finally leading to seed viability loss. In this context, certain proteins play a pivotal role in safeguarding the longevity of seeds. However, the seedproteomic response to loss viability in Salvia hispanica L., commonly known as chia, remains incompletely understood. Methods: This work explores the application of proteomics as a potent tool for uncovering molecular responses to viability loss caused by artificial aging in two chia genotypes, WN and MN. Results: By using a quantitative label-free proteomics analysis (LC-MS/MS), 1787 proteins wereidentified in chia seeds at a 95% confidence level, including storage proteins, heat shock proteins (HSPs), late embryogenesis abundant proteins (LEA),oleosins, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related enzymes, and ribosomal proteins. A relatively low percentage of exclusive proteins were identified in viable and non-viable seeds. However, proteins exhibiting differential abundancebetween samples indicated variations in the genotype and physiological status. Specifically, the WN genotype showed 130 proteins with differential abundancecomparing viable and non-viable seeds, while MN displayed changes in the abundance of 174 proteins. While both showed a significant decrease in keyproteins responsible for maintaining seed functionality, longevity, and vigor withhigh-temperature and humidity conditions, such as LEA proteins or HSPs, ROS, and oleosins, distinct responses between genotypes were noted, particularly in ribosomal proteins that were accumulated in MN and diminished in WN seeds. Discussion: Overall, the results emphasize the importance of evaluating changes in proteins of viable and non-viable seeds as they offer valuable insights into the underlying biological mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of chia seed integrity throughout high-temperature and humidity exposure.

Use of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed mucilage powder as a stabilizer in the preparation of salep beverage.

Salep, a traditional Turkish beverage, derives its name from its primary component: salep powder (SP), which is sourced from the tubers of certain orchid species. This study investigated various physicochemical attributes (including dry matter, protein content, pH, titration acidity, water activity, color, serum separation, and zeta potential), as well as rheological and sensory characteristics of salep beverages. These drinks were prepared by substituting SP with chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed mucilage powder (MP) with different ratios (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%). The substitution of SP with MP did not influence the dry matter and protein contents or the pH and acidity values of the drinks significantly (p > .05). The inclusion of MP in the formulation of salep drinks resulted in a decrease in lightness (L*) and a* color values while increasing the b* color values. However, consumer perception, as indicated by color difference values (∆E*), showed no distinguishable difference between drinks containing MP and control drinks. Furthermore, higher ratios of MP led to increased apparent viscosity values in the drinks and effectively prevented or significantly reduced serum separation observed in control drinks (p < .05). Remarkably, sensory evaluations revealed that substituting up to 30% of SP with MP did not negatively impact the overall sensory properties of the drinks (p > .05), suggesting that MP could be recommended as a feasible alternative. This substitution has the potential to contribute to the conservation of orchid plants, the primary source of salep, while also offering cost-saving benefits in the production of salep drinks.

Functional chia (Salvia hispanica L.) co-product protein hydrolysate: An analysis of biochemical, antidiabetic, antioxidant potential and physicochemical properties.

Protein hydrolysates with antioxidant potential have been reported to act as adjuvants in preventing and treating type-2 diabetes (T2D). This work investigated the biochemical, antidiabetic, antioxidant potential, and physicochemical properties of chia meal protein hydrolysate (CMPH). Bands smaller than 14 kDa were observed in the electrophoretic profile. The predominant amino acids were hydrophobic and aromatic. CMPH had the potential to inhibit α-amylase (IC50: 1.76 ± 0.13 mg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50: 0.42 ± 0.13 mg/mL), and DPP-IV (IC50: 0.46 ± 0.14 mg/mL). Antioxidant activity for ABTS (IC50: 0.236 mg/mL), DPPH (8.83 ± 0.52%), and ORAC (IC25: 0.115 mg/mL). Against chia meal protein isolate (CMPI), CMPH has a broad solubility (pH 2-12.46). Particle size (624.5 ± 247.3 nm), low PDI (0.22 ± 0.06), ζ-potential (-31.1 ± 2.5 mV), and surface hydrophobicity (11,183.33 ± 2024.11) and the intrinsic fluorescence peak of CMPH was lower than that of CMPI. CMPH represents an alternative to add value to the agri-food co-product of the chia seed oil industry, generating food ingredients with outstanding antidiabetic and antioxidant potential.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.), a functional 'superfood': new insights into its botanical, genetic and nutraceutical characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds have become increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers due to their high content of ω-3 fatty acids, which provide various health benefits. Comprehensive chemical analyses of chia seeds' fatty acids and proteins have been conducted, revealing their functional properties. Recent studies have confirmed the high ω-3 content of chia seed oil and have hinted at additional functional characteristics. SCOPE: This review article aims to provide an overview of the botanical, morphological, and biochemical features of chia plants, seeds, and seed mucilage. Additionally, we discuss the recent developments in genetic and molecular research on chia, including the latest transcriptomic and functional studies that examine the genes responsible for chia fatty acid biosynthesis. In recent years, research on chia seeds has shifted its focus from studying the physicochemical characteristics and chemical composition of seeds to understanding the metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms that contribute to their nutritional benefits. This has led to a growing interest in various pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and agricultural applications of chia. In this context, we discuss the latest research on chia, as well as the questions that remain unanswered, and identify areas that require further exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Nutraceutical compounds associated with significant health benefits including ω-3 PUFAs, proteins, and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity have been measured in high quantities in chia seeds. However, comprehensive investigations through both in vitro experiments and in vivo animal and controlled human trials are expected to provide greater clarity on the medicinal, antimicrobial, and antifungal effects of chia seeds. The recently published genome of chia and gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR, facilitate functional studies deciphering molecular mechanisms of biosynthesis and metabolic pathways in this crop. This necessitates development of stable transformation protocols and creation of a publicly available lipid database, mutant collection, and large-scale transcriptomic datasets for chia.

The effectiveness of chia seed in improving glycemic status: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of chia seeds in improving glycemic status, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar up to January 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of chia seeds on FBG, HbA1c, and/or insulin that meet our eligibility criteria were included. Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB2) was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Data were extracted and analyzed using a random-effects model and reported as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. The registration number was CRD42023441766. RESULTS: Out of 341 articles retrieved from the initial search, 8 RCTs (with 10 arms) involving 362 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that chia consumption had no significant effect on FBG (WMD: 0.79 %; 95 % CI: -0.97 to 2.55; p = 0.38), HbA1c (WMD: -0.12 %; 95 % CI: -0.27 to 0.02; p = 0.09), and insulin (WMD:1.23 %; 95 % CI: -1.77 to 4.22; p = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS: Chia seed consumption shows no significant impact on FBG, HbA1c, and insulin levels. This study is limited by the small number of studies in the meta-analysis and the significant heterogeneity among them, necessitating further research with larger sample sizes.

Rheological characterization of chia seed gum as a thickening agent used for dysphagia management.

Dysphagia has emerged as a serious health issue facing contemporary society. Consuming thickened liquids is an effective approach for improving the swallowing safety for dysphagia patients. The thickening effect of chia seed gum (CSG), a novel thickener, in different dispersing media (water, orange juice, and skim milk) was investigated. Moreover, the potential application of CSG for dysphagia management was evaluated by comparison with xanthan gum (XG) and guar gum (GG). The thickened liquids prepared with 0.4 %-1.2 % (w/v) CSG, XG, and GG could be classified into levels 1-4, 2-4, and 1-3, respectively, according to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) framework. All the thickened liquids displayed shear-thinning characteristics that facilitated safe swallowing. The viscosities (η50) of CSG dissolved in water (0.202-1.027 Pa·s) were significantly greater than those of CSG dissolved in orange juice (0.070-0.690 Pa·s) and skim milk (0.081-0.739 Pa·s), indicating that CSG had a greater thickening effect in water than in orange juice and skim milk. Compared with those prepared with GG, the thickened liquids prepared with CSG and XG exhibited greater viscoelasticity, better water-holding capacity, and more compact networks. The findings suggested that CSG can be used as a potential thickener for thickening liquid foods to manage dysphagia.

Effects of a Functional Food Made with Salvia hispanica L. (Chia Seed), Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. (Amaranth), and an Ethanolic Extract of Curcuma longa L. (Curcumin) in a Rat Model of Childhood Obesity.

Obesity is a global health problem and is increasing in prevalence in most countries. Although obesity affects all age groups, children are the most vulnerable sector. Functional foods are novel formulated foods containing substances (i.e., nutrients, phytochemicals, probiotics, etc.) that have potential health-enhancing or disease-preventing value. The research objective was to study the possible beneficial effects of providing a functional food made with amaranth flour, chia seed, and curcumin extract on the metabolism and behavior of a rat model of childhood obesity. Male Wistar rat pups from two litters of different sizes, a normal litter (NL) (10 pups) and a small litter (SL) (4 pups), were used. After weaning, the rats were fed a hypercaloric diet (HD) or an HD supplemented with the functional food mixture. Body weight and energy intake were measured for seven weeks, and locomotor activity, learning, and memory tests were also performed. At the end of the experiment, glucose and lipid metabolism parameters were determined. The results showed that in this model of obesity produced by early overfeeding and the consumption of a hypercaloric diet, anxiety-like behaviors and metabolic alterations occurred in the rat offspring; however, the provision of the functional food failed to reduce or prevent these alterations, and an exacerbation was even observed in some metabolic indicators. Interestingly, in the NL rats, the provision of the functional food produced some of the expected improvements in health, such as significant decreases in body weight gain and liver cholesterol and non-significant decreases in adipose tissue and leptin and insulin serum levels.

p-Coumaric Acid Differential Alters the Ion-Omics Profile of Chia Shoots under Salt Stress.

p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) is a phenolic compound that plays a crucial role in mediating multiple signaling pathways. It serves as a defense strategy against plant wounding and is also presumed to play a role in plant development and lignin biosynthesis. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and ionomic effect of p-CA on chia seedlings under salt stress. To this end, chia seedlings were supplemented with Nitrosol® containing 100 µM of p-CA, 100 of mM NaCI, and their combined (100 mM NaCI + 100 µM p-CA) solutions in 2-day intervals for a period of 14 days along with a control containing Nitrosol® only. The treatment of chia seedlings with 100 mM of NaCI decreased their growth parameters and the content of the majority of the essential macro-elements (K, P, Ca, and Mg), except for that of sodium (Na). The simultaneous application of p-CA and a salt stress treatment (p-CA + NaCI) alleviated the effect of salt stress on chia seedlings' shoots, and this was indicated by the increase in chia biomass. Furthermore, this combined treatment significantly enhanced the levels of the essential microelements Mg and Ca. In summary, this brief report is built on the foundational work of our previous study, which demonstrated that p-CA promotes growth in chia seedlings via activation of O2-. In this brief report, we further show that p-CA not only promotes growth but also mitigates the effects of salt stress on chia seedlings. This mitigation effect may result from the presence of Mg and Ca, which are vital nutrients involved in regulating metabolic pathways, enzyme activity, and amino acid synthesis.

Lactoferrin-chia seed mucilage complex coacervates for intestinal delivery of quercetin and fortification of set yogurt.

This study aimed to develop complex coacervates utilizing lactoferrin (LF) and chia seed mucilage (CSM) for promoting intestinal delivery of quercetin (Q) and fortification of set yogurt. Three cross-linkers, including calcium chloride (CC), transglutaminase (TG), and polyphenolic complex (HP), were used to further reinforce the coacervate network. Cross-linked coacervates had higher values of coacervate yield, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity. They efficiently preserved Q under gastric condition (⁓87%-99%), with CSM-TG-Q-LF being most effective for intestinal delivery of Q. Moreover, digested pellets of the cross-linked coacervates displayed better antioxidant activity than the uncross-linked coacervates with CSM-TG-Q-LF pellets showing maximum bioactivity. The Q-loaded coacervates demonstrated superior assembly in the yogurt matrix compared to the unencapsulated Q. Moreover, the coacervate systems, especially CSM-TG-Q-LF significantly improved the textural properties of yogurt and the stability of Q in it. Therefore, CSM-TG-LF is a promising carrier to promote intestinal delivery and food application of hydrophobic molecules.