We are all aware of the several superfoods that are currently being recommended for inclusion in our diets, such as quinoa, kefir yoghurt, and dark leafy greens.
Nevertheless, before consuming these organic snacks, anyone who intends to replace their sugary snacks should read the label; otherwise, they may have to deal with unpleasant substitutes.
One man experienced this same situation after learning that incorporating chia seeds into his diet had additional advantages. He chose to swallow a tablespoon of the tiny seeds before downing a glass of water.
It seems to be in good health. Ultimately, how much harm can a handful of tiny seeds that are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fibre cause to the body?
As it happens, they can have some really unfavourable side effects.
The nameless man was unable to swallow anything, including his own saliva, shortly after starting this new diet, so he went to the hospital for emergency care.
Doctors discovered a hideous, gel-like substance trapped in his oesophagus.
The chia seeds had absorbed the water, causing the blockage. According to Healthline, chia seeds can absorb “up to 12 times their weight” in liquid. This indicated that the seeds had reacted with the water the man drank right away to create this viscous mixture.
“It got to be this sort of almost Play-Doh-like consistency, very hard in terms of a liquid but also sort of soft,” Dr Rebecca Rawl, the doctor who helped treat the patient, told Time.
Dr. Rawl and her team had to break up the blockage with a tiny endoscope in order to extract the seeds.
In 2014, the American Journal of Gastroenterology reported the case.
However, if you eat chia seeds properly, the superfood is completely safe, so don’t rush to cut them out all at once.
What is the best way to consume chia seeds?
The ideal way to eat chia seeds is to wait for this reaction to finish because they expand quickly after being exposed to a liquid.
Adding chia seeds to foods like smoothies, yoghurt, and porridge is a popular way to eat them since it causes the seeds to expand in the bowl’s liquid rather than in your stomach.
Another well-liked technique is chia seed pudding, in which the seeds are mixed with milk and other toppings and then chilled.
The chia seeds only need to soak for 10 to 20 minutes, so you don’t even need to keep them in the refrigerator overnight.
