Drinking chia seed water in the morning can help with digestion and bowel movement. Excellent for protein consumption, heart health, bone health, blood sugar regulation, and digestion.
Since they contain a lot of insoluble fiber — the kind that helps bulk up your stool while still keeping it soft — chia seeds can help get things moving in your gut. Hence, the current trend of drinking chia seed water to help promote a bowel movement.
Chia seeds have proven benefits (we tried it ourselves!) when consumed on an empty stomach every morning. Apart from having high levels of fiber, calcium, protein and healthy fats, these seeds also contain magnesium that help to keep cortisol level low, and in turn, uplifts your mood.
Making chia seed water is easy. All you have to do is gently mix 1–2 tablespoons (12–24 grams) of chia seeds into 1 cup (237 mL) of water. Once you give the seeds a light stir, let them sit for up to 2 minutes.
Consuming chia seeds with water in the morning helps in giving your digestive system a boost and improves bowel movement. Healthy digestion is a prerequisite to weight loss. The best time to eat chia seeds is when you wake up. Consumption of chia seeds aids in a feeling of fullness and thus a reduced calorie intake.
The Many Benefits of Chia Seed Water
And yes, that includes a regular glass of water! This is a recipe I always keep in mind when I'm traveling. But it's also a good reminder to toss in some chia seeds and lemon to your daily water intake. Here's a few reasons why this combo is so good.
Czerwony recommends putting one or two tablespoons of chia seeds in an eight- to 10-ounce glass of water. If you've never consumed the seeds before, you may want to start with a smaller amount to see how your body tolerates them.
A common dosage recommendation is 0.7 ounces (20 grams or about 1.5 tablespoons) of chia seeds twice per day. Remember to drink plenty of water to prevent any digestive side effects. Chia seeds are easy to prepare and often used as an egg substitute and added to oatmeal or smoothies.
Soak the seeds in almond milk or water (1/4 cup seeds to 1 cup liquid) until they take on a chewy texture reminiscent of tapioca pudding, about 20 minutes. Soaked chia seeds can be refrigerated for up to 5 days, so you can make a big batch at the start of the week.
Studies have shown that chia seeds consumption reduces visceral adipose tissues, also known as belly fat.
Water daily: The drought-tolerant, mucilaginous seeds of the chia plant benefit from daily light watering until the sprouts establish roots. Once they have reached the height of alfalfa sprouts or microgreens, natural rainfall should be sufficient. 5.
Chia seeds are highly nutritious, boast a long list of health benefits and can be a healthy dietary addition for most. However, moderation is key, as eating too many may cause side effects. To prevent this, start with 1 ounce (28 grams) daily and assess your tolerance before slowly increasing your intake.
Just like overnight oats, keeping chia seeds soaked in water or milk overnight can be a good way to fully germinate them and get rid of any sort of digestive inhibitors (which act as a protective layer).
Why aren't my chia seeds gelling? Time: Gelling chia seeds takes time! Recipes like chia pudding are best when chia sits in liquid for a few hours, or even overnight. If you want your chia seeds to have that gel-like consistency, they need to sit for a minimum of 20 minutes to absorb the liquid.
Drinking chia seed water in the morning can help with digestion and bowel movement. Excellent for protein consumption, heart health, bone health, blood sugar regulation, and digestion.
Cold water is the best option for soaking chia seeds. Unlike a lot of other foods, heat isn't needed to break down and soften chia seeds. They can easily absorb the water when it is cold. If you don't like the idea of cold chia pudding, check out the top tips section below for tips on making warm chia pudding.
“Just combine 1 tablespoon [tbsp] of chia seeds with a glass of water (optional: add lime) and drink 30 minutes before meals,” she says, in addition to explaining they increase feelings of fullness.
Medicines: Avoid taking chia seeds if you are taking medications like anticoagulants and antiplatelets (prevent blood clots), anti-hypertensive (treats high blood pressure), anti-cancer, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, as chia seeds might interact with these medicines.
Chia Seeds Benefits For Skin
They are also a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids which delay ageing, reduce acne scars and make sure your skin is shining through! Chia seeds are pressed to extract their oil, which is a popular potion for the skincare industry.
The chia seed water trend, which involves drinking water with a teaspoon of chia seeds in it, has become popular for its ability to help curb hunger and promote natural weight loss, even though it doesn't affect metabolism or increase calorie-burning. It's just supposed to make you feel full faster.
Dry chia seeds can also be added whole or ground to smoothies and juices, mixed into yogurt and oatmeal, or sprinkled on top of a salad. If you're adding the seeds to a drink or a "wet" dish like porridge, they'll swell up slightly while you eat but retain a slight crunch.
However, if you eat dry chia seeds, without giving them any liquid to absorb before ingesting them, they'll absorb the water within your system and potentially cause a blockage.
The quickest recipe is to just add a tablespoon of chia seeds to 8 to 10 ounces of water or juice. You can drink it right away, but letting it sit for about 10 minutes will let the seeds start to gel.
“Chia and flax seeds should be stored in the fridge to extend their life and to prevent their volatile oils from becoming rancid or from oxidizing.”