Chia seeds don't need to be ground before eating to get the nutritional benefits—eating them whole will have the same effect, and how you like to eat them is just a matter of personal preference. They're also naturally gluten-free and vegan.
And in a 2020 study, researchers examined the impact of processing on the digestibility of chia seeds. They found that grinding did increase the digestibility and uptake of antioxidants, protein, and omega-3 fats compared to whole seeds as they pass through the intestines.
If you eat chia seeds or flaxseeds whole, they're likely to pass right through you without releasing any of their nutrients. So, for best results, first grind up the seeds with a blender or coffee or spice grinder, or buy them preground or “milled.” (The other option is to chew them really well.)
Eating them ground can help increase the absorption of the nutrients they contain. Chia seeds are often consumed whole. However, studies have shown that the nutrients they contain may also be better absorbed when the seeds are ground ( 44 ).
Yes, chia seeds can be added to your smoothie along with everything else and will blend in so you hardly notice them at all but will benefit from their healthy nutrients.
Chia seeds don't need to be ground before eating to get the nutritional benefits—eating them whole will have the same effect, and how you like to eat them is just a matter of personal preference. They're also naturally gluten-free and vegan.
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.
A popular way to use chia seeds is in smoothies. A tablespoon or less of fresh seeds or chia gel is all you need to add texture and nutrients to your fruit and veggie smoothies. This decadent chocolate almond chia seed smoothie is surprisingly healthy.
One of the simplest ways to include chia seeds in your diet is to add them to water. To make chia water, soak 1/4 cup (40 grams) of chia seeds in 4 cups (1 liter) of water for 20–30 minutes. To give your drink some flavor, you can add chopped fruit or squeeze in a lemon, lime, or orange.
Digestion: Because chia seeds are so high in fibre, some people can get stomach pains after eating them. Your stomach may not be used to digesting chia seeds yet, so start consuming them in small quantities. Soaking them also helps ease digestion, rather than eating them raw.
We now know that blending does not destroy fiber, therefore smoothies retain the fiber found in fruits and veggies in their whole form.
Best to eat chia and hemp seeds in their raw form – no baking please. The omega-3 fats are fragile and destroyed by cooking. Omega-3 fats are considered “essential” since we need daily sources from our food.
Your body can't naturally break down flax seeds and get to all the good stuff inside, so you've got to make sure they're broken up a bit — chopped, ground, milled — first.
Though they're safe for most people, chia seeds may cause an increased risk of choking. So make sure you consume them carefully, especially if you have difficulty swallowing. This increased risk is because dry chia seeds swell up and absorb about 10–12 times their weight in liquid when they are exposed to water (13).
The nutrients are also absorbed faster. Other people grind it first to make it into a powder. The powder one makes it easier to mix into the drink. Ground chia seeds give the same health benefits without the crunchy texture, which makes them appropriate for teas and even chicken breading.
A common dosage recommendation is 0.7 ounces (20 grams or about 1.5 tablespoons) of chia seeds twice per day.
Chia seed consumption may offer health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and improving digestive health. However, certain individuals may experience side effects if they eat large quantities of chia seeds, including those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and allergies.
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.
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. The chia plant is a member of the mint family.
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.
It is important to soak your chia seeds and activate the mucilage because it creates positive changes in the nutritional and physical properties of the chia seeds that make them even more beneficial for your health. Here are some important changes that happen to chia seeds soaked in water.
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.
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.
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.