Chia Flour Supplementation Reduces Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Subjects

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chia supplementation (Salvia hispanica L.) on blood pressure (BP) and its associated cardiometabolic factors in treated and untreated hypertensive individuals. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: the hypertensive-drug treated (CHIA-MD, n = 10), hypertensive untreated (CHIA-NM, n = 9) and placebo (PLA-MD, n = 7) groups. The subjects consumed 35 g/day of either chia flour or a placebo for 12 weeks. The clinical and ambulatory BP, inflammation, oxidative stress and markers for nitric oxide were measured. While the PLA-MD group showed no changes in BP, there was a reduction in the mean clinical blood pressure (MBP) in the CHIA (111.5 ± 1.9 to 102.7 ± 1.5 mmHg, p < 0.001) and CHIA-MD (111.3 ± 2.2 to 100.1 ± 1.8 mmHg, p < 0.001) groups. The CHIA-NM group showed no reduction in the MBP but did show a decreased systolic BP (146.8 ± 3.8 to 137.3 ± 3.1 mmHg, p < 0.05). The clinical BP reduction was demonstrated by a 24 h ambulatory systolic reduction in all of the supplemented groups. However, the mean ambulatory BP was reduced only in the CHIA (98.1 ± 2.4 to 92.8 ± 2.2 mmHg, p < 0.05) group, and there was no change in the diastolic component in either of the CHIA groups. The lipid peroxidation was reduced in the CHIA (p = 0.04) and CHIA-NM (p = 0.02) groups compared with the PLA-MD group. A reduction in the plasma nitrite levels was observed only in the CHIA group (p = 0.02). Chia flour has the ability to reduce ambulatory and clinical BP in both treated and untreated hypertensive individuals.

Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica L.) as a Source of Proteins and Bioactive Peptides with Health Benefits: A Review

“…However, in one other study, overweight adults who consumed 25 g/day of chia did not have a reduction in their body mass index, waist circumference, or insulin resistance (Nieman et al., ). Also, the consumption of 35 g/day of chia seed by overweight adults for 12 weeks did not promote any significant change in body mass index or waist circumference (Toscano et al., ). Similarly, individuals with type 2 diabetes who consumed 37 g/day chia did not have changes in body weight (Vuksan et al., ).…”

“…In hypertensive adults, the consumption of 35 g/day of chia flour for three months reduced BP, lipid peroxidation, and plasma nitrite concentrations. These effects were attributed to a large amount of n‐3 fatty acids in chia that exerted antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects (Toscano et al., ). Also, patients with type‐2 diabetes had a reduction of systolic and diastolic pressure after consumption of 35 g/day of chia for a period of 12 weeks (Vuksan et al., ).…”

Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) effects and their molecular mechanisms on unbalanced diet experimental studies: A systematic review

“…Our choice was based on our purpose, which was to investigate the mechanisms and pathways through which chia seed improves metabolic parameters. Most of the clinical trial results are limited to improvement on lipid profile (Nieman et al., ; Nieman et al., ; Toscano et al., ; Toscano et al., ; Vuksan et al., ), oxidative stress (Toscano et al., ; Vuksan et al., ; Vuksan et al., ), blood pressure (Toscano et al., ; Vuksan et al., ), and weight loss (Toscano et al., ; Vuksan et al., ), but all these parameters were not reproducible. This lack of major results may be due to feasible doses of chia used in these studies, which can be considered low when compared to doses offered to animals (20 g/kg body weight) (Creus et al., ).…”

“…These components present in chia seed have been considered responsible for the improvement of biological markers related to diseases, presenting properties, including anti‐inflammatory (Hamedi, Jamshidzadeh, Ahmadi, Sohrabpour, & Zarshenas, ), antioxidant (Scapin, Schmidt, Prestes, & Rosa, ), hypotensive (Toscano et al., ), hypoglycemic (Vuksan et al., ; Vuksan et al., ), and hypocholesterolemic (Toscano, Toscano, Tavares, Oliveira, & Silva, ). Though it remains unclear if there is an interaction between them, acting in a synergic way or, if a specific compound is responsible for its health benefits.…”

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seed Total Protein and Protein Fractions Digests Reduce Biomarkers of Inflammation and Atherosclerosis in Macrophages In Vitro

“…In human studies, the consumption of chia was related to several beneficial effects such as improvement of insulin resistance, reduction of arterial pressure, prevention of lipid peroxidation, decrease of plasma nitrite concentrations, and C‐reactive protein, and increase in adiponectin . The effects of peptides derived from chia protein have been demonstrated by biochemical indicators.…”