Chia Seeds Found to Reduce Appetite and Support Brain Health, Study Shows

**Islamabad:**
New research reveals that chia seeds not only help protect the body from the harmful effects of ultra-processed foods but also reduce brain inflammation and control appetite. Experts suggest that chia seeds could serve as a natural alternative to appetite-suppressing medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Scientists at Brazil’s Federal University of Viçosa conducted experiments on mice, dividing them into two groups. One group was fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet for eight weeks, while the other was given chia oil and chia flour to study the effects of unhealthy diets.

**Key Findings:**

* **Chia oil** activates genes in the brain that produce appetite-suppressing proteins (POMC and CART).
* **Chia flour** directly interacts with brain receptors to reduce hunger.
* Both forms enhanced the function of the hormone leptin, which regulates appetite but can be disrupted by high-fat diets.
* Chia seeds also reduced brain inflammation, which is typically increased by unhealthy diets.

Researchers noted that the mice did not lose weight during the study due to the extremely high-calorie diets.

**Nutritional Benefits:**
Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and provide complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. They may help reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. According to the study, incorporating chia oil or flour alongside an unbalanced diet could be an effective strategy for managing diet-related metabolic disorders.