Hemp and Chia Seeds for Obesity

Overseen By Rita Rawal, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center

Must not be taking: Certain medications

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Celiac, Crohn's, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 day

24 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the addition of chia and hemp seeds to lunch foods to help people feel fuller and potentially promote health. Participants will eat meals with either chia seeds, hemp seeds, or no seeds to determine which they prefer and find more satisfying. It suits individuals not actively trying to change their weight and without certain health conditions affecting digestion or taste. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to nutritional science and discover new ways to enhance meal satisfaction.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial may require you to stop taking certain medications or supplements if they interfere with the study's goals. It's best to discuss your current medications with the study team to see if any changes are needed.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that both chia and hemp seeds are safe to eat. Studies examining chia seeds and their effects on heart health and other areas have found no major safety issues.

Hemp seeds are also safe, containing very low levels of THC, the substance in cannabis that causes a "high," so they do not produce any mind-altering effects. Both the European Food Safety Authority and the FDA have deemed hemp seeds safe.

Overall, studies have shown that both chia and hemp seeds are well-tolerated, with no serious side effects reported. This indicates they are safe to include in meals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using chia and hemp seeds for obesity because these seeds might offer a natural way to enhance feelings of fullness and reduce overall calorie intake. Unlike traditional obesity treatments that often involve medication or surgery, chia and hemp seeds are plant-based and can be easily incorporated into meals. Chia seeds are known for their high fiber content, which can expand in the stomach and help curb appetite. Hemp seeds, on the other hand, are rich in healthy fats and proteins, potentially providing a satisfying and nutritious meal option. This novel approach could provide a simpler, more holistic option for managing weight.

What evidence suggests that chia and hemp seeds could be effective for promoting satiety in obesity?

This trial will compare the effects of chia seeds and hemp seeds on obesity. Studies have shown that chia seeds can help reduce waist size and lower blood pressure, but they don't significantly affect overall body weight or BMI (body mass index). In one study, participants who ate chia seeds lost more weight than those who didn't, though the difference was small. Participants in this trial will receive a lunch meal enriched with chia seeds to assess their impact on satiety.

For hemp seeds, animal research suggests they might help with metabolism issues, but their effect on human body weight remains unclear. Some studies found no significant changes in weight or blood fat levels from consuming hemp seeds. Another group in this trial will receive a lunch meal enriched with hemp seeds to evaluate their potential benefits. Both seeds can be part of a healthy diet, but neither is a miracle solution for weight loss. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Janet Novotny, PhD

Principal Investigator

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who are dealing with obesity, including childhood obesity. The study aims to include participants who can consume lunch foods with seeds added to them and are interested in exploring new recipes that may promote health and fullness.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had surgery to help with weight loss.

Actively trying to gain or lose weight at the time of the study recruitment or planning to gain or lose weight during the study periods

Anorexia Nervosa and/or Bulimia

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume seed-enhanced or control lunch meals to assess likability and satiety effects

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feelings of satisfaction, fullness, and hunger post-treatment

30 minutes

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Chia seeds
• Hemp seeds

Trial Overview The study is testing the likability of incorporating hemp seeds or chia seeds into lunch meals compared to a placebo. Participants will try different seed-infused recipes to see which ones they prefer and if these could help in promoting satiety and health.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Hemp Enriched Lunch Meal Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A lunch meal will be provided that is comprised of soup and bread. These items will be made from standard recipes that have been enhanced with hemp seeds, which may provide extra satiety compared to the standard recipes in the placebo arm.

Group II: Chia Enriched Lunch Meal Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A lunch meal will be provided that is comprised of soup and bread. These items will be made from standard recipes that have been enhanced with chia seeds, which may provide extra satiety compared to the standard recipes in the placebo arm.

Group III: Control Lunch Meal Placebo Group 1 Intervention

A lunch meal will be provided that is comprised of soup and bread. These items will be made from standard recipes. This arm will be a placebo comparator to meals made with chia seeds or help seeds, which may provide extra satiety.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

56

Recruited

5,300+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11406937/

Effects of chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) supplementation ... This review aims to comprehensively analyze the available evidence on the effects of chia seeds on cardiometabolic indices in overweight populations through a ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149291824003564

Review The Effects of Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica L. ... Chia consumption can significantly reduce SBP, DBP, and WC in adults, but no significant impact was showed on BMI and weight.

3. nmcd-journal.com nmcd-journal.com/article/S0939-4753(16)30329-5/abstract

Salba-chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in the treatment of ... Results. At 6-months, participants on Salba-chia had lost more weight than those on control (1.9 ± 0.5 kg and 0.3 ± 0.4 kg, respectively; P = 0.020), ...

4. medicalnewstoday.com medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326112

Are chia seeds effective for losing weight? Chia seeds are unlikely to cause significant weight loss on their own. They may promote weight loss in people who eat a low calorie diet.

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39672763/

The Effects of Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica L. ... Chia consumption can significantly reduce SBP, DBP, and WC in adults, but no significant impact was showed on BMI and weight.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9834868/

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.): A therapeutic weapon in ... Numerous study on observation and experimental have shown that chia seeds can reduced the certain danger factors, including fatty oils, aggravation, insulin ...

7. efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5657

Safety of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) as a novel food for ... The Panel concludes that chia seeds are safe under the assessed conditions of use. Summary. Following a request from the European Commission, ...

8. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-023-41370-4

Chia seeds ameliorate cardiac disease risk factors via ... Outcomes of this report reveal that HFD-induced obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and chia seeds (15% of diet weight) could be ...