They’ve been called “miracle seeds,” “super seeds,” “superfood,” “magical,” and “the food of endurance runners” – but 3500 years ago, native to Mesoamerica, the tiny, mighty chia seed was known and to and cultivated by Mayans and Aztecs [1,2]. In fact, Mayan and Aztec warriors used chia seeds as their sole food source when traveling long distances, because just a small pouch carried at their waists provided complete nutritional sustenance for days – without ever having to stop and eat. The Tarahumara people (also known as Rarámuri people) of Mexico, renowned for their ultramarathon running and endurance, have a rich tradition of using chia seeds to fuel their long runs. With that kind of track record, it’s no wonder that the Mayan word for chia seeds is “chiabaan,” which means “strengthening”[2].

A Superfood Emerges

Fast forward ca. 3500 years to the 1980s, Dr. Wayne Coates, Professor Emeritus in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Arizona, brought the mighty chia seed into the mainstream spotlight. Given their mighty health benefits and versatility in food, one might think chia seeds gained their initial popularity among nutritionists and foodies! Not so much. It turns out that our beloved seeds are as stylish as they are healthy — their first debut into pop culture came from their interesting tendency to grow into thick, green mats of grass-like shoots in a matter of hours (an accidental albeit fun finding that we can't really regret). For years, the novelty of the chia sprouts overshadowed the very real nutritional value that Dr. Coates (re)discovered in the tiny chia seed.

Chia Seeds Move into the Spotlight as a Superfood

Twenty years later, interest in health and nutrition began to really take off. Vegetarian and vegan lifestyles started to become popular, and so the search for protein from plants resumed. The use of seeds as a source of protein was suddenly the latest, greatest thing, and researchers took another look at chia seeds. All of a sudden, chia earned its rightful recognition: a SUPERFOOD! “Super” because it contains an extremely dense concentration of vital nutrients, vitamins and/or minerals, as well as antioxidants, good fats, healthy enzymes, or other healthy properties that help to treat, lower the risk of, or prevent specific diseases and maladies. Every tiny chia seed comes with all the proteins, fats, vitamins and/or minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants needed to unlock their nutritional value – all by themselves! Chia seeds have everything necessary to process all the nutrients they contain, and that means your body can use them quickly and efficiently. Yes, all of that unassuming power in one tiny, mighty seed!