Chia seeds are high in fiber, healthy fats and protein, and are often found in smoothies, yogurts, oatmeal, pancakes and cereal bars.

They are usually small, round, black, white or brown in color, and the polyunsaturated fatty acids present in them improve cardiovascular health and cholesterol, in addition to having anticarcinogenic properties.

Specialists assure that due to its high fiber content, it helps stabilize blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and helps people with diseases related to the gastrointestinal tract.

The novelty of this study lies in the fact that genes and genetic markers were identified that could help agricultural researchers to cultivate the plant to amplify valuable traits for human health.

In fact, 29 genes involved in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids and 93 genes that contribute to the gelling property of seeds were found.

They also discovered 2,707 highly expressed genes in the seed that probably generate small bioactive peptides derived from proteins.

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