Credits: Social Media
Viral hack to add chia seeds to drinking water for digestive benefits approved by doctor
A health hack has gone viral on TikTok that sees people putting chia seeds in water to improve their digestion, and a doctor has given it the green light.
All kinds of health fads take over social media, but this is one that actually works, and it will have noticeable benefits on your gut.
Put chia seeds in water for digestive benefits
The trend says to put a tablespoon of chia seeds into your drinking water. As they are very lightweight, they will float around in the glass or bottle. You sip the water and eat the chia seeds at the same time to regulate your digestion and reduce constipation.
Chia seeds are the edible seeds from a flowering plant in the mint flower called Salvia hispanica, which is native to central and southern Mexico. They are packed with fiber, which is why they are great for your digestion, Dr. Karan Rajan explained on TikTok.
“This is one of the very few TikTok trends that actually works,” he said. “Chia seeds are a great source of fiber and can help with constipation and keeping you regular.”
However, he warned that if you don’t usually have much fiber in your diet, you need to introduce it very slowly. Too much fiber too quickly, especially the insoluble kind, can cause negative gut symptoms like bloating and cramps.
Chia seeds digest better when they have been soaked, which is why people are putting them into a glass of water rather than eating them straight out of the packet.
Another great alternative is psyllium husk, a naturally occurring, plant-derived source of fiber that has loads of digestive benefits including reducing constipation and diarrhoea, and helping with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Here is an easy gut test you can do at home to see how well your digestive system is working.
More health benefits of chia seeds
As explained by Harvard Health, the health benefits of chia seeds stem far beyond just improving your digestive health. The fiber content is also associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and inflammation.
They are full of omega-3 fatty acids too, which have many vital uses including helping with brain function and heart health. They reduce a type of fat in your blood called triglycerides which is responsible for heart attacks.
Chia seeds are also packed with antioxidants, which help to reduce the risk of inflammation, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Plus, they are a great source of protein, which is needed to build and repair muscles, bones, cartilage, and skin.
The best way to incorporate chia seeds into your diet is by sprinkling a tablespoon over yogurt, cereal and salads, or adding them into smoothies or soups. They have a mild flavor so are unlikely to affect the taste of your food.
Dr. Karan Rajan (MBBS) is an NHS Surgeon in the UK who shares his health expertise on TikTok. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London and the University of Sunderland.
