Consuming Too Many Chia Seeds Can Backfire: 5 Side Effects Of This Superfood You Should Know

Who would have guessed that this harmless superfood could risk ones life when consummed mindlessly. Find out how many chia seeds are enough for a day.

Tiny but mighty, Chia seeds are black and white in size, and a native to Central America.

Regardless of their size, Chai seeds have gained the title of a superfood in recent years due to their impressive nutritional profile.

What Are The Benefits Of Eating Chia Seeds?

Also, popularly known as Basil seeds, Chia is an excellent source for increasing your fibre intake, boosting immunity, and supporting heart health because of its rich omega-3 fatty acids.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “These seeds are composed of different functional components, including fiber, polyphenols, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acid vitamins, minerals, and peptides. Besides, these seeds are also a good source of vegetable protein, unsaturated fat, carbohydrates, and ash.”

Apart from the aforementioned benefits, Chia seeds are very popular amongst those people who are on their weight loss journey.

This superfood expands when soaked in water, which is why it controls one’s appetite by filling the stomach and making you feel full longer.

Side Effects Of Consuming Too Many Chia Seeds

Although Chia seeds offer various health benefits, consuming too many can often lead to unwanted side effects, such as:

Bloating: Chia seeds are high in fibre; thus, eating too many of these superfoods can cause digestive discomfort like bloating.
Diarrhoea: Another side effect of this superfood is diarrhoea. When soaked in water, Chia expands and the texture becomes slippery, causing diarrhoea.
Bleeding: Just as Chia seeds are good for heart patients, consuming too many can cause a risk of bleeding because of their rich omega-3 fatty acids.
Gas: If you’re not used to a high-fibre diet, avoid consuming too many Chia seeds to prevent an unintended gas issue.
Nutrient hindrance: Lastly, eating too many Chai seeds can interfere with absorbing key nutrients such as iron, calcium, etc.

How Many Chia Seeds Should You Eat In A Day?

As per experts, the perfect quantity of Chia seeds one should consume in a day is a serving of 2-3 tablespoons. Followed by drinking plenty of water to avoid any possible side effects.