Chia Seeds Health Benefits

I've been hearing more and more about the nutritional benefits of chia seeds -- that they can help regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss. Any truth to this?

Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family. They have a nutlike flavor. It is a cousin of the seeds (Salvia columbariae) once used to grow green hair atop your clay "pet". The chia seed is now sold as a nutty topping for yogurt and salads. These types of chia seeds pack more alpha-linoleic acid and omega 3 fat than flax seeds and also provide fiber, antioxidants and even some calcium and iron. Chia grows abundantly in southern Mexico and South America. It was highly prized by the Aztecs, who believed it provided supernatural powers.

Although high in fiber, chia seeds are also high in calories - about 37 calories and 3 grams of fiber per tablespoon.

Dr. Andrew Weil says an advantage of eating chia seeds is that you can add them to water and let them sit for 30 minutes, and the chia will form a gel. He states that researchers suggest that this reaction also takes place in the stomach, slowing by the process by which digestive enzymes break down the carbohydrates and convert them into sugar. So eating chia seeds, the kind sold as food, will not harm you if eaten in moderation. Although I am not sure the supposed benefits of the seeds are worth the extra calories.