BBC Science Focus - The Scientific Guide To a Healthier You - 2019

DIET

BBC SCIENCE FOCUS MAGAZINE COLLECTION 25

O ver recent year s, chia – a variet y of mint – ha s broken out of those

novelty pet-shaped plants to become a miracle food. It’s a complete

protein with all the amino acids required to build muscle, plus more

omega-3 than s almon and more f ibre than fla x seed, a s well a s being

rich in antioxidants and minerals. Indeed, cheerleaders of chia claim

you could eat it and nothing else.

“It’s a good example of how companies and distributors promote the

mys tique and magical health benef it s that go way beyond the science,”

says Prof David Nieman, director of the Human Performance Labs at

Appalachian State University in North Carolina. “We conducted several

randomised human trials showing that chia seeds provide good nutrition

and can be included in a healthy eating pattern that over time – along with

physical activity and weight management – is consistent with good

health. But there’s nothing quick or miraculous about them.”

INFLATED

HEALTH

BENEFITS

The chia seed is a good

example of how claims

about superfoods can

grow out of all proportion