When you eat products that are high in fiber, like chia seeds, you have to drink more water in order to avoid issues in your digestive tract.
You can try drinking chia seed water to add chia seeds to your diet. Adding water to chia seeds helps you stay hydrated while you get the benefits of the nutrients in the seeds.
Although chia seeds offer a variety of health benefits, eating too many may lead to complications:
Digestive issues. Because of their high fiber content, eating too many chia seeds may cause constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and gas. Chia seeds may also cause flare-ups with inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease.
Choking hazard. Dry chia seeds absorb water, which causes them to swell up and become gooey. Dry chia seeds can get stuck in your throat, which poses a choking hazard. To avoid this risk, soak the seeds 5 to 10 minutes before use.
Interactions with medication. Chia seeds help reduce blood sugar and high blood pressure. If you’re already taking medications for diabetes or hypertension, eating too many chia seeds can cause severe dips in blood sugar levels and blood pressure, which may lead to other health complications.
Allergies. Although rare, chia seed allergies do happen in some people. Symptoms to watch out for include vomiting, diarrhea, and itching of the tongue or lips. Severe allergies can lead to anaphylaxis – a severe allergic reaction that can lead to death if not treated quickly.
Because chia seeds can lead to some issues, it’s best to start small. At first, try just a 1-tablespoon serving. Make sure to prepare them in a way that will allow them to expand before you eat them.
From there, you can gradually add more chia seeds to your diet. But if you feel that they lead to digestive issues, it might be smart to cut back.
Store chia seeds in a cool, dark place. If you grind your seeds, place them in an airtight bag or storage container and store them in your pantry or refrigerator.
There are many ways to eat chia seeds. Some ways to prepare them include:
