Eating chia seeds is heart healthy.

Chia seeds are well known for sprouting the fast-growing "hair" on little clay Chia Pets. Now people are eating the nutty-flavored grains in hopes of reducing their risk of heart disease.

Chia reportedly contains more omega-3 fatty acids than flaxseed, more fiber than bran, and more protein than soy. It also contains calcium, magnesium, iron, and antioxidants.

The whole grain is harvested from Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family that grows in Mexico and South America.