Error n ° 1 that people do by eating chia seeds that could upset your digestion
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Eating dry chia seeds without first soaking or mixing them in liquid can be a risk of suffocation and can cause stomach discomfort.
Why eating dry chia seeds is a danger to health
The biggest problem is that dry chia seeds can be a risk of potential suffocation, especially if consumed in large quantities. Eating too many dry chia seeds can also cause gastrointestinal problems.
“Dry chia seeds can absorb the humidity of surrounding digestive fluids, forming a gel that develops in volume,” Testwell Kimberly Prado, DNP, APN, APN, clinical teacher at the Rutgers University School of Nursing told.
Prado added that fermentation and increased pressure can cause abdominal discomfort and constipation if there is not enough water available to support the movement of fibers.
To help prevent abdominal discomfort, Prado said that it was preferable to pre-tremper Chia seeds and start with a smaller quantity if you are not used to fiber-rich foods.
How Chia seeds affect your gastrointestinal tract
Dry chia seeds can be difficult to tolerate in anyone, but they can be particularly uncomfortable if you have not eaten a diet rich in fiber for some time.
“For some people, having a lot of fibers at the same time can cause gastrointestinal upset, so if you are not used to it, it is better to progress to a level of healthy fiber instead of a big bolus at the beginning,” said Rabia de Latour, MD, gastroenterologist and assistant professor in the Nyu Langone Health Medicine.
For women aged 19 to 50, it means eating about 25 grams of fiber per day; Men from the same age group need 38 grams.
If you have not pre-filled your chia seeds and you start to feel bloating or other uncomfortable symptoms, turn to your water bottle. “My recommendation would be to hydrate with water and give a little rest for a few hours if you feel bad after ingestion,” said Latour.
How to eat chia seeds in the right direction
To avoid stomach problems, it is better to mix your chia seeds with humid or humid ingredients before consuming them.
“Several formidable recipes have pre-combined chia seeds, or you can mix them in wet foods such as yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, puddings and soups,” said Prado. “This allows seeds to hydrate before entering the digestive tract and minimizes the risk of bloating, cramps and abdominal discomfort.”
If you are new to Chia seeds, you should start with a tablespoon per day to make sure your gastrointestinal tract can tolerate them, Prado recommended. “Gradually increase the quantity, while drinking a lot of water, can help the body adapt and maximize health benefits,” she said.
What it means for you
Although Chia seeds are very nutritious and offer many health benefits, they can cause gastrointestinal problems when you eat them dry. These include bloating, gas, cramps and more. It is best to eat chia seeds that have been soaked or mix them with wet ingredients to avoid discomfort.