Chia (yes, as in Chia Pet) could be the world's next health craze, and Appalachian State University and the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis are leaders in researching the plant's “superfood” properties.

Don't worry — no one's asking you to take a bite out of Jerry GarChia's curly mane. It's the seeds of chia in which scientists, nutritionists, athletes and others are interested.

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