Eating chia seeds may help protect the brain and body from the harmful effects of ultra-processed foods, a new scientific study suggests.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), typically high in saturated fats and sugars, have been linked to negative consequences in almost every system of the body. An alarming report led by The Lancet last year showed that the average person in the UK gets over half of their daily calories from these foods.
The consequences are not limited to the gut and metabolism, increasing obesity and type 2 diabetes. Diets high in fat and sugar can also promote inflammation in the brain, increasing the risk of cognitive decline. These foods also disrupt the gut-brain axis, disrupting satiety signals and promoting overeating.
Now, Brazilian researchers suggest that chia seeds may offer a natural solution.
These small black and white seeds are rich in omega-3 fats and are a complete source of protein, containing all nine essential amino acids the body needs. Previous studies have shown that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid abundant in chia seeds, helps reduce inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome — a combination of conditions that includes obesity and high blood pressure.
To test whether chia seeds can mitigate the harms of a Western diet, experts from the Federal University of Viçosa studied the effects of chia flour and oil on the brains of mice. For the first eight weeks, most of the mice were fed a diet high in fat and fructose, to mimic unhealthy human eating habits. A control group followed a standard healthy diet.
Then, for ten weeks, one group continued the unhealthy diet, another supplemented it with chia oil, while the third group took chia flour. At the end, brain tissue samples were analyzed.
The results showed clear differences between the oil and the chia flour. The mice that consumed the chia oil showed activation of genes that suppress hunger, suggesting that chia may increase the feeling of fullness through the central nervous system. These genes produce proteins like POMC and CART, which signal the body that it has had enough energy.
This effect was not seen in the group that consumed chia flour, but both forms improved the brain's response to leptin - the hormone that regulates hunger. High-fat diets usually lead to leptin resistance and overeating, but chia products helped restore this mechanism.
The researchers compared this effect to how GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, reduce appetite and help with weight loss.
Beyond appetite control, the unhealthy diet increased the expression of proteins that promote inflammation in cells, while chia attenuated this process, protecting brain cells. Chia flour stood out for its even more protective effects, as its components bind directly to appetite receptors in the brain.
However, the researchers pointed out an important limitation: none of the mice lost weight. According to them, this may be related to the very high caloric intake, while changes in eating behavior and weight may take longer to appear.
It has long been known that diets high in fat, salt and sugar, but low in vitamins and fiber, are associated with an increased risk of serious diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Chia seeds, according to this study, may be a simple and natural ally against these consequences. /GazetaExpress/
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