A woman offered herself up as a human guinea pig to see if the hype surrounding a certain superfood was worth it.
Lauren Manaker did us all a solid and volunteered to chow down on chia seeds for seven days in a bid to find out if she would reap any of the supposed health benefits they offer.
The tiny black or white seeds, which are derived from the Salvia hispanica plant, are touted as nutritional powerhouses given that they're packed with fibre, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
According to experts at Harvard Health, incorporating them into your diet can seriously benefit your well-being.
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Chia seeds can reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, boost your mental health, reduce inflammation, support digestive health and aid in weight management, among a host of other things.
However, some people have claimed that consuming them was 'useless', while others have raised concerns about the 'blockages' they can cause internally due to an interesting characteristic they have.
Chia seeds are able to absorb 'up to 12 times their weight' when exposed to a liquid, according to Healthline, so people can inadvertently end up clogging their body's pipes if they don't eat them properly.
The best way to avoid this is introducing them to a liquid before you shovel them down your throat, FYI folks.
Anyway, Lauren - who is an award-winning dietitian and nutritionist - was thankfully well aware of this potential problem before she began her week-long experiment.
She explained that due to her line of work, chia seeds are a constant topic of conversation as clients are always asking her 'if they are actually a superfood or just fancy birdseed'.
For her investigation into their effectiveness, Lauren carefully tracked what changes she noticed in her body over the seven-day period that she chowed down on chia seeds.
She admitted that the initial stages were 'an experiment in texture' as she worked out what to pair them with, but 'started simple' by adding them into some Greek yoghurt.
After a few days, the dietitian felt confident enough to move on to making chia pudding, which is a popular snack which you have probably seen going viral on social media in recent months.
Lauren said that when she combined chia seeds with milk and maple syrup to make the pudding, it made for 'an incredibly fast and filling breakfast'.
She explained that she also managed to incorporate the seeds into her diet by sprinkling them onto salads and slipping them into smoothies while writing about her experience for the health and wellness brand Prevention.
What was her verdict on chia seeds?
'A few things stood out' to her after a few days in terms of health benefits, Lauren explained.
"My digestion was probably the first thing to notice the change," she said. "Things definitely moved along more regularly. By the end of the week, my bowel movements were working like clockwork.
"I also found myself feeling fuller after meals, which was a pleasant surprise. My energy stayed steady, with far fewer snack attacks and sugar crashes."
However, she also noticed one major drawback too - chia seeds would often 'wedge' themselves into her teeth, resulting in her vowing to never leave the house without dental floss.
Lauren complimented the superfoods 'versatility' as they could be included in such a wide range of meals, while 'never feeling like a chore to eat'.
She also said that she found chia seeds a 'delicious' addition to her diet, despite their 'texture quirks'.
Sharing her verdict after a week of eating them, Lauren said: "My personal experience lines up with what science says about these tiny powerhouses.
"I can confidently say that chia seeds live up to much of their hype. Eating them every day can be a simple and effective way to boost your intake of fibre, protein, omega-3s, and essential minerals.
"They can support digestive health, help keep you full, and contribute to a healthy heart - with barely any effort at all."
She admitted that, like any superfood, they won't be a 'magic bullet for perfect health' on their own.
However, Lauren then added: "But if you’re looking for a small change that can deliver a big nutritional punch, adding a spoonful of chia seeds to your daily routine is a fantastic place to start.
"Just remember to start slow and drink your water."
Who's having chia seeds for brekky then, lads?
Topics: Food And Drink, Health, Lifestyle
Olivia Burke