O Mundo da Saúde (Jul 2017)
The effect of chia on intestinal function, anthropometric and Hemodynamic parameters in elderly women
Abstract
The aging process has been associated with several functional disorders, and constipation has proven to be one of the most prevalent. Aim: To evaluate the effect of chia seeds on intestinal constipation and its influence on weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure measurements. Initially, the identification of the elderly women with intestinal constipation was carried out by using the Roma III questionnaire. After this procedure the anthropometric measurements, weight and height, were checked to calculate and diagnose their nutritional status according to the Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference, in order to analyze the risk of cardiovascular diseases and analyze hemodynamic parameters. The study participants consumed chia seeds during 45 days, and they were instructed to eat 1 tbsp of the seed (corresponding to 12 g/day) as well as to drink water. After 45 days, the elderly women were re-evaluated. Results: We have observed that the seed was able to suppress the intestinal constipation, and we verified an improvement in all the factors investigated by the Roma III Questionnaire. There was a reduction in the values presented before and after the experiment regarding weight, Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference, but with no statistical relevance. For blood pressure levels, no changes in values were observed. Chia seed is an important source of functional food and is effective in patients who presented constipation, but more work should be done in order to explore all the beneficial effects of this seed.
