By Vijay Kumar Malesu Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. May 17 2026 In obese pregnant rats, chia seed enrichment helped shift omega-3 metabolism, increasing DHA availability in maternal tissues, placenta, and fetal brain lipid profiles during a critical developmental window. Study: Chia seed enrichment in high-fat-high-sugar diet-induced obesity: a strategy to increase DHA levels in maternal tissues and in fetal placenta and brain during pregnancy . Image Credit: Very Hungry Owl /