Chia — a Tiny Seed with a Long History
Ancient Aztecs knew the importance of these tiny seeds centuries before they hit grocery shelves worldwide.
Chia seeds have been in the news a lot lately thanks to their numerous health benefits. They’ve being touted as a weight-loss miracle, a superfood, a heart-healthy alternative and constipation miracle.
And the science backs up a number of these claims. Studies have shown they’re a great source of antioxidants, and provide similar benefits to foods high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids in terms of preventing disease and regulating digestion.
All those benefits in a tiny seed, measuring at 1–2 millimeters in length. Chia have a very long and complicated history with humans, providing nutritional benefits to ancient Aztecs and California hippies alike. So where did these tiny seeds come from, and what makes them so good for you?
Agricultural cultivation of chia
The word chia is derived from a very ancient word in Nahuatl, chian, which means “oily.” Nahuatl comes from a family of ancient indigenous languages of the…
