Did some goofball friend give you one of those Chia Pets for Christmas? Perhaps she was thinking about the health benefits of chia seeds!
The truth is, chia seeds are actually good for you—we're talking really good for you. In fact, they just may be one of the healthiest things around. Here's why:
Ch-ch-ch-chock-full of nutrition
Nutty-tasting whole-grain chia seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, and they have among the highest antioxidant activity of any whole food—even more than fresh blueberries. And they can do good stuff for the body, like helping to keep blood pressure and blood sugar under control.
Get the good stuff
The chia seeds you get in a Chia Pet have not been approved as food by the United States Food & Drug Administration, so get yours from a health-food store or order some online.
Medically reviewed in March 2019. Updated in March 2021.
