Too much chia seeds can harm you, know the possible side effects | The Times of India (2024)

Chia seeds are the tiny black edible seeds of the plant Salvia hispanica. The plant belongs to the mint family.

Chia seeds are widely consumed for the benefits it is believed they offer in weight loss. Rich in antioxidants, chia seeds swell up to much larger in size when soaked in water or milk.

However, there is a downside to consumption of chia seeds. In this article we will discuss the possible side effects of consuming too much chia seeds.

Consuming lots of chia seeds can interfere with your digestion. Chia seeds are loaded with fibres and when it is consumed in lots of quantities the body may find it difficult to digest it properly.

One should stick to an ideal quantity of chia seeds in a day and not consume more.

Consuming more of these tiny seeds can cause diarrhea, bloating and stomach cramps.

Chia seeds are blood thinners; the omega 3 fatty acids present in chia seeds are known to have blood thinning properties.

Regular consumption of chia seeds in huge quantities can interfere with high blood pressure medications. If you are on BP medicines, then you need to consult your doctor and try to consume chia seeds in small quantities.

Chia seeds are loaded with fibers, which can interfere with the gut's ability to absorb sugar and can consequently lower the blood sugar level.

This property of chia seeds can be a problem for those with diabetes who are already on medication and insulin. Consuming lots of chia seeds can alter their blood sugar level which requires change in medication and insulin.

As per health reports, 1-1.5 tablespoon of chia seeds per day is enough for the body to get the nutrients these tiny seeds carry.

Chia seeds contain omega 3 fatty acid, fibers, protein, calcium, phosphorus and zinc.

Chia seeds are tiny seeds with no flavour of their own. You can simply soak it in water and drink it the first thing in the morning.

You can make pudding from chia seeds.

But make sure to soak these seeds beforehand. These seeds swell up to much larger sizes and when consumed as it is they can get stuck and swell up choking the food tract.

Chia seeds are extremely nutritious. These tiny seeds are rich in antioxidants. 2 tablespoons of chia seeds contain 138 calories, 4.7 grams of protein, 8.7 grams of fat, and 9.8 grams of fiber. It is also rich in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, thiamine and niacin.

The fiber content makes it a good food for weight loss.