Biotona bio black Chia Raw is derived from Salvia hispanica, a plant that was already being grown by the Aztecs more than 4,000 years ago in Central and Southern Mexico. Then as now, the plant is valued for its many uses and its health-giving qualities. The name ‘chia’, which originates from the Aztec word for ‘fatty’, reflects the fact that chia seeds are a natural source of alpha-linolenic acid, (ALA) an essential omega-3 fatty acid (up to 25%) that contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels (the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 2 g of ALA). The presence of soluble fibres means that the seeds can absorb seven times their own weight in water.