A simulation about the benefits of chia seeds has made several claims about the positive health impacts they could have on your body.
The tiny seeds are promoted as a 'superfood' which are packed with nutrition and just bursting with the good stuff your body needs to function at its best.
They come with fibre, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, all things your body could do with getting more of in order to have a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Among the most popular methods of ingestion are tipping a tablespoon full of the seeds into water and then quaffing the lot.
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The simulation, which is not from an accredited medical source, claims that drinking water with a tablespoon of chia seeds in it 'cleans your intestines like a soft brush'.
It also claims that the seeds can reduce your craving for sugar, improve your metabolism and improve your heart health as well, which all sounds good.
On top of that the simulation claims that chia seed water can hydrate your skin from the inside, which is presumably good.
It isn't the only simulation to claim there are health benefits to chia seeds, as another one says the seeds are like an 'internal shower' which when paired with a squeeze of lemon juice give your insides a good clean up.
Health experts have said that adding chia seeds to your meals is 'an easy and quick way to increase their nutritional content', and they really can keep sugar cravings in check, though there's a bit of doubt over some of the other claimed benefits.
Some doctors have said that if you're taking lots of chia seeds it's only going to do so much good because the proper improvements will take months to show up - so it requires patience.
One woman who made herself a guinea pig for a week and went on a chia seed diet found eating them so often 'an experiment in texture' but she did notice some digestive benefits early on.
She also found herself more full after meals and with more energy during the day, saying they weren't a 'magic bullet for health' but she did feel better.
One downside was them often getting stuck in her teeth.
However, that's not the worst place chia seeds have been stuck, as for some people they've had the opposite effect of cleaning out the innards.
One poor bloke was left with a blocked food pipe after it was gummed up by a congealed mass of chia seeds which had absorbed lots of water.
A doctor who helped treat the man said the gel was of an 'almost Play-Doh-like consistency'.
Just be careful.
Topics: Health, Food And Drink
Joe Harker