Clinical Benefits of Salvia Hispanica L. on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT

Background: Salvia hispanica L. (chía) is a plant whose seed has been attributed to lipid-lowering, antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive effects that position it as a nutritional alternative to reduce cardiovascular risk. Despite the importance of this nutraceutical in cardiovascular health, clinical evidence remains limited. To assess the beneficial potential of chía, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the reported data was carried out. Based on a PICO strategy and algorithm-based instructions, a literature review of chía interventions were included in the study. Consumption of chía was associated with statistically significant decrease of total cholesterol (−0.08 mmol/L, 95% CI [−0.15, −0.02]; p = 0.009), glycosylated hemoglobin (−0.20%; 95% CI [−0.25, −0.15]; p = 0.00001), C-reactive protein (−1.05 mg/L; 95% CI [−1.68, −0.41]; p = 0.001), waist circumference (−2.99 cm; 95% CI [−3.40, −2.58]; p < 0.00001), systolic blood pressure (−3.11 mmHg; 95% CI [−5.02, −1.21]; p = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (−3.98 mmHg; 95% CI [−5.59, −2.37]; p < 0.00001), and increase in plasma insulin (14.77 pmol/L; 95% CI [8.26, 21.27]; p < 0.00001). No statistically significant association was found in the rest of the parameters. Results show statistically significant (low/moderate) changes in clinically relevant parameters, such as blood pressure, inflammation, and glucose homeostasis. Nevertheless, evidence from randomized clinical trials remains insufficient and of low quality.

KEYWORDS:

• Salvia hispanica
• chía seed
• cardiovascular disease
• cardiovascular risk factors
• lipid profile

Acknowledgments

Carla Georgina Cicero Sarmiento thanks to CONAHCYT for the research fellowship (No. 781678). This work was taken in part from the doctoral thesis of MSc. C.G. Cicero Sarmiento.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.