Whether it’s a bowl of chia pudding or sprinkling these seeds on top of our salads, adding chia seeds to our diet is considered healthy by many. The benefits of consuming chia seeds are well documented and people swear by the positive impact they make on people’s weight-loss journey.
Chia seeds are full of protein, fibre, antioxidants and Omega 3s. But everything nice and shiny has its own set of flaws that often fail to catch our attention. Likewise, there are some major drawbacks of consuming the superfood that chia is. Let us have a look at these potential side effects of chia seeds that no one tells you about.
1. Gastrointestinal Problems
One of the major reasons that chia seeds are considered healthy is that they are rich in fibre. But the very same boon is also a bane because consuming too much of it can cause gastrointestinal issues like constipation, bloating, gas, or abdominal pain. The best way to prevent these issues is to drink an ample amount of water throughout the day. This helps the fibrous content in chia pass through the guts easily.
2. Impact On Blood Sugar Levels
The dietary fibre in chia seeds can also affect your blood sugar level. This is because fibre induces slow digestion of all macronutrients, including sugar. This usually has a positive impact on the functioning of your body, but if you are on medication for blood sugar, you need to double check with your doctor before consuming chia seeds regularly.
3. Choking Issues
There have been many cases of choking on chia seeds too. This happens because of its high-water retention properties as dry seeds swell up and can get lodged in the throat. To prevent this, consume chia seeds after soaking them in water for at least 10 minutes. People who have problems swallowing should consume chia seeds carefully or avoid consuming dry chia seeds.
4. Allergies
Allergies from chia seeds are rare, but cannot be dismissed. As chia is a part of the mint family, people who are allergic to the latter can experience symptoms like itching of the tongue, dizziness, vomiting, and shortness of breath after consuming chia seeds.
5. Impact On Blood Pressure
Consuming an excess of chia seeds also impacts your blood pressure. Chia is high in Omega 3 fatty acid, which can cause low blood pressure if you are on medication for the same. This can also cause excessive bleeding in case of an injury as Omega 3 may thin down the blood in our body.
Chia seeds are a great source of protein for vegans ,vegetarians, and non-vegetarians alike. But we need to understand the requirements of our bodies and include chia in our diet according to our needs.