The truth is – they can. Chia Seeds absorb 15-20 times their weight in water. When chia seeds move through the gut, they draw water from the intestine area, like a sponge. These seeds expand in your stomach, which leads to bloating.
The easy fix to prevent bloating
Just soak them beforehand. That way, they've already expanded before they enter your digestive track. "My trick is to put them in water for five to ten minutes before eating," the registered dietitian says, adding that the ratio of chia seeds to water should be one-to-nine.
Eating Too Many Chia Seeds Can Cause Digestive Issues
However, too much fiber can cause issues for some people ( 7 , 8 ). Excessive fiber intake can cause problems like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating and gas ( 9 ).
Some people may experience side effects from eating too many chia seeds. These side effects may include digestive issues, allergic reactions, or weight gain. However, for most individuals, chia seeds are a suitable and nutritious addition to a balanced diet.
Chia Seeds Can Lead to Stomach Problems
Chia seeds are extremely high in fiber, and too much fiber doesn't work with every body type. Those who consume too much fiber may experience side effects ranging from diarrhea, constipation, bloating and intestinal gas.
4. Allergies. "Chia seeds are in the mint family, so people with known allergies to mint, sesame, or mustard seeds should be cautious about trying chia seeds," Zellner says. "Food allergy symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, itching of the lips or tongue, or anaphylaxis."
Chia seeds can absorb up to 10X their weight in water, and so it is not recommended to eat a large quantity of them dry. Eating a tablespoon or more of chia seeds dry from a spoon can cause them to swell in your esophagus, which may cause a blockage.
Chia seeds may provide several benefits as part of a healthy diet. There is no RDA for chia seeds. Still, they can be safely eaten in amounts of 50 grams daily, which is about five tablespoons.
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.
How Long Does Bloating From Chia Seeds Last? Most bloating only lasts 2-3 hours, after this point, the gas starts to naturally disappate.
The fiber in chia seeds is mainly soluble fiber and mucilage, the substance responsible for the gluey texture of moistened chia seeds. These fibers may help to lower LDL cholesterol and slow down digestion, which can prevent blood sugar spikes after eating a meal and promote a feeling of fullness.
Chia seeds are demulcents, and help to build and repair the mucosal layer in your gut. We need this gel-like layer in the gut for immune defense — to support a diverse community of intestinal microbes, to prevent leaky gut, to quell inflammation, and for normal digestion/elimination.
Chia seeds are a great source of fibre. 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.
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.
The rule of thumb is: 15 grams of chia seeds per day are fine and healthy. It should not be more than this, otherwise the unpleasant side effects of chia seeds can occur. With this balanced amount of chia seeds, the gastrointestinal tract is not overburdened, but supported.
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.
To get the most nutrients out of your food and to maximize the potential benefits of chia seeds, try soaking them before adding them to a recipe or smoothie. Either way, though, they're still an excellent source of nutrition.
There are no hard-and-fast guidelines on how many chia seeds you should eat daily. But some doctors and institutions offer reasonable recommendations, such as Columbia University, which suggests eating 20 g (or a bit under 2 tbsp) of chia twice per day.
Whole chia seeds can sometimes get stuck in the intestinal lining, causing discomfort and bloating, although in theory they are cleansing the system and getting into every nook & cranny this also can be uncomfortable whilst it occurs.
If you are going to start incorporating chia seeds into your diet, depending on your daily intake of fiber, if you're not drinking enough water to accompany the increase in fiber, it can bulk up your stool and cause constipation.
Bloating is a typical symptom of a food intolerance or allergy. Intolerances and allergies can cause excessive gas production or gas to become trapped in the gastrointestinal tract. The foods most likely to cause this are wheat or gluten.
Possible causes of morning bloating
eating a large meal, particularly right before bedtime. swallowing air from eating too fast. lying down soon after eating. drinking soda or other carbonated beverages.
When your stomach swells and feels hard, the explanation might be as simple as overeating or drinking carbonated drinks, which is easy to remedy. Other causes may be more serious, such as an inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the accumulated gas from drinking a soda too quickly can result in a hard stomach.