Chia Seeds and Their Health Advantages
Wojciech Wiśniewski
2026-03-24
6 min. read
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Chia seeds are deemed a functional food, recognized since pre-Columbian times. They have recently regained popularity. They are highly nutritious and a source of antioxidants and fiber. Discover why it's advantageous to incorporate them into your diet.
Elementary information about chia seeds
Chia seeds are the fruits of a green plant of the genus Salvia. Salvia hispanica, commonly known as chia, is a plant native to Mexico. Hispanica's name comes from a mistake made by Carl Linnaeus, who mistakenly confused it with another plant in the new land of Spain. It was cultivated by the Aztecs and Mayans. In the pre-Columbian era, chia seeds were a staple of the diet at the time, along with corn, amaranth and beans. They are not exclusively associated with the rich grains of that region. People used to offer them as sacrifices to their gods. As an element of the religious cult, they were forgotten by the European conquistadors. It was not until the 20th century that they regained their popularity. Currently, Salvia hispanica is grown in Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Guatemala, Africa and Europe. Chia seeds can have a completely black or spotted white color. They are now available in almost every supermarket and cost between twenty and thirty euros per kilogram. They enhance a great number of dishes. However, this article is not about culinary aspects. No less interesting is the rich content of these unassuming grains.
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