Doctor explains what happens if you eat chia seeds superfood for two weeks
A doctor has shared what might happen if you were to spend two weeks eating chia seeds.
Now to be clear, we're not talking here about subsisting solely on a diet of chia seeds.
As ever, a balanced diet is import to ensure that you're getting the right balance of proteins, carbs, fibre, vitamins, and all the nutrients our bodies need to maintain our health.
But, chia seeds have been hailed as a 'superfood', something which is particularly good for you, when part of a balanced diet.
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There's even one surprising effect that chia seeds have which could help with one particular aspect of our health.
Dr Saurabh Sethi is a gastroenterologist, that's a doctor specialising in the gut and digestive system, and shared the impact that eating chia seeds can have on your body.
Chia seeds are usually eaten after soaking them overnight, whether it's in water, or perhaps milk or yoghurt.
If you've ever tried this, you've probably noticed that when you come down to tuck in your chia seeds they have grown much bigger than when you left them - a bit like those dinosaur or spider toys that grow when you leave them in water, though those are of course not edible, so please don't eat them.
The result is a thick mixture a bit like porridge, or frogspawn if you're feeling less flattering, and you can have it with fruit or nuts, or whatever you fancy really.
But why is it that the seeds get so big? Dr Sethi explained that this is actually a part of what makes them healthy.
"Chia seeds absorb up to 12 times their weight in water, helping you stay hydrated," he said in a video on YouTube.
Not only that, but if you eat them every day then you'll be getting the effect of the good things they contain.
"These are packed with fibre and omega three fatty acids, chia seeds are great for digestion due to their high fibre content which can help you feel fuller for longer," explained Dr Sethi.
And there's an unexpected effect of this too - feeling fuller for longer is useful if you're trying to lose weight.
"This can assist in weight management," Dr Sethi said in the clip on his social media page.
After two weeks, you may also notice another effect of them as well - your skin becoming clearer than it was before.
Dr Sethi explained: "Chia seeds provide hydration and antioxidants that can benefit your skin as well, so you may notice subtle improvements in your skin texture and radiance."
Kit Roberts