Study of the Residue from Salvia hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil Extraction by Cold Pressing for Repurposing as Functional Food to Prevent Metabolic Syndrome

ALARCÓN, G.; VALOY, AGOSTINA; ROSSI, ANALÍA; JEREZ, S.

Biology and Life Sciences Forum

MDPI

Lugar: Suiza; Año: 2022

2673-9976

Despite its high nutritional value, the residue obtained by cold pressing of the chia seeds (expeller) is still undervalued. Expeller is rich in proteins and fibers and contains about 7% omega-3 α-linolenic acid (ALA). Considering that chia seed has been reported to improve insulin resistance, among other cardiovascular risk factors, the aim of this work was to study the effects of a diet enriched with the expeller on a rabbit model of metabolic syndrome. A nutritional analysis of the expeller was evaluated. Rabbits were fed a standard diet (CD), a high-fat diet (HFD) and a HFD in which 20% of the calories from fat were replaced by the expeller (ED). At the end of the 6-week feeding period, clinical, biochemical, and vascular reactivity studies were performed. Results: The ED did not modify body weight or visceral fat, and reached to control fasting glucose (mg/dL; CD: 113 ± 3; HFD: 1261 ± 5; ED: 90 ± 7), insulin resistance (area under the curve of glucose tolerance, CD: 612 ± 23; HFD: 676 ± 17; ED: 517 ± 38), triglycerides (mg/dL CD: 113 ± 14; HFD: 192 ± 22; ED = 98 ± 22) and the TyG index (CD: 8.3 ± 0.2; HFD: 9.3 ± 0.3; ED: 8.28 ± 0.23). With respect to the vascular studies, a blunted norepinephrine response was found. In conclusion, the results showed a promising use of the expeller to develop functional foods that improve metabolic syndrome symptoms.