Chia Seeds: Frequently Asked Questions
Chia seeds are known as a great plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to a host of other nutrients, and an abundance of calcium, protein, and fiber. These frequently asked questions are excerpted from Chia: The Complete Guide to the Ultimate Superfood by Wayne Coates, PhD.
Q. Can I eat too much chia?
A. Not really. If you eat more than your body can handle, you may find yourself feeling a bit bloated, or you may experience mild diarrhea, though this is rare.
Q. Is it possible to be allergic to chia?
A. It is very rare, but the possibility does exist. Those most likely to have a reaction to chia are individuals who areallergic to sesame or mustard seed, or to other members of the salvia family, such as sage.
Q. What else does chia contain?
A. The main vitamins are: A, B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), C (ascorbic acid), E, choline, and Folate (folic acid). Chia also contains vitamins B3, B5, B6, B15, B17, D, K, inositol and PABA. The main Minerals are Boron, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, silicon, sodium, strontium, sulfur, and zinc. It also has amylose and plenty of electrolytes. And they also contain 18 of the 22 amino acids, including all nine essential amino acids.
Q. I’m on medication. Can I take chia?
A. It depends on the medication. Your best bet is to talk with your healthcare provider before taking chia.
Q. My personal trainer said I should have chia daily between weight lifting workouts. Why?
A. Chia is believed to decrease recovery time and fatigue in cardiovascular workouts by encouraging muscle tissue repair.
Q. What happens after I’ve swallowed chia?
A. When chia reaches the digestive liquids of your stomach, it swells and forms a gel. This gel slows down the rate at which digestive enzymes turn carbohydrates into sugar.
Q. I understand I should drink plenty of liquids when eating chia. Why?
A. Since chia absorbs a lot of liquid, it can lead to stomach cramps. Hence the need to consume sufficient liquid when consuming chia.
Q. I’ve heard chia can make my nails healthier and grow faster. Is it true?
A. Chia is rich in omega-3, as well as calcium, boron, and many antioxidants that help create healthy, moist, disease-free skin.
Q. Is it necessary to grind the seed?
A. Chia seeds do not need to be ground for absorption, unlike flax, which must be
ground before eating it.
Q. Should chia seeds be washed?
A. Chia seeds do not need to be washed.
Q. How should chia seeds be stored?
A. Whole chia seeds will stay in good condition at room temperature for several years. There is no need to keep the seeds in the refrigerator, whether it’s kept in sealed bags or not. The seed’s natural antioxidants provide this stability. Storing chia in a closed container will help extend its shelf life.
Q. What’s the difference between the colors of chia seed.
A. There are two chia seed colors, white and black. The difference between the two colors, however, is negligible. Both contain essentially the same amount of omega-3, protein, fiber, and other nutrients.
Here are two recipes from Chia: The Complete Guide to the Ultimate Superfood:
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6 comments on “Chia Seeds: Frequently Asked Questions”
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Are chia seeds okay to eat if I occasionally suffer from diverticulitis?
Kathie, my gut tells me that you need to proceed with real caution on using chia if you have diverticulitis — I just loaned the book out yesterday, and so can’t look up the answer for you — but I may be able to find out what the author fo this book thinks, so stay tuned!
Thank you Nava, I appreciate your reply and look forward to hearing any answers that you may find!
Kathie. i too have diverticulitis and chia seeds are great for helping with it. According to my chia seeds .com Helping with Diverticulitis is the #3 reason to take chia seeds.
3. Help Prevent Diverticulitis / Diverticulosis
With the abundance of over-processed foods and white flour on the market today, rich sources of fiber are harder to come by. These foods of convenience have contributed to the rise of diverticulitis. Irregularity is a
big factor in this risky condition. To help ensure regularity, you need plenty of soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet. If you don’t want to eat celery, and whole-grain everything…or piles of bran flakes, the Chia Seed is here to help. Each seed is coated with soluble fibers which aid its gelling action. The exterior of the seed is protected by insoluble fiber. The insoluble fiber is unable to be digested (it does not contribute any calories, or break down) so instead, it helps keep food moving smoothly through the digestive process. Soluble fiber, and the gel coating of the seed keeps the colon hydrated and ensures the easy movement of food.
Thanks for this valuable input, Shaun — much appreciated!
Yay, I was fine taking chia for a few weeks and then I started getting stomach cramps something awful. I think my appendix was having a negative reaction to them as well. Tests at the doctor take so long though that by the time they got around to doing them I was pretty much fine. Happened to me three times before I concluded it was the chia. Ate a little bit by itself for breakfast and that’s when I knew.