Are Chia Seeds Good | or Bad | Side Effects | How Much | FAQ | Studies
Due to their binding effect, chia seeds have become one of the most popular recipe ingredients. For example, they are in puddings, pancakes, or parfaits.
Furthermore, countless articles celebrate them as a superfood to help lose weight, relieve pain, and make the skin radiant.
But can the small grains live up to this great expectation?
Are Chia Seeds Good or Bad for You?
Chia seeds are extracted from the plant Salvia hispanica, native to southern Mexico and Guatemala.
Because they can form a gel due to water absorption, they are a popular thickener or vegan substitute for eggs in baking (Coorey et al. 20141).
Although their consumption may also cause some side effects, chia seeds are known for their various nutrients and health benefits.
If we look at the nutrient overview of the seeds, it becomes clear why they gained popularity over the last few years (*).
They are rich in fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals like zinc or calcium.
Even keto dieters love chia seeds due to their high fiber content and low net carbs.
However, the question is whether the human body can absorb and use these nutrients at the end of the day so that chia seeds can meet high expectations.
This article looks at the potential drawbacks disregarded when the internet declared chia seeds a superfood overnight.
3 Reasons Chia Seeds Are Bad for You
Exotic superfoods are excellently marketed. Hence, content about chia seeds mostly only tackles the good aspects and rarely addresses those that negate supposed benefits.
They Are Not Primal
Although chia seeds entered our food cycle relatively suddenly, they were immediately dubbed primal food by some Paleo adherents.
Historically, chia seeds, like other pseudo-grains, were consumed exclusively by the Mayans and, to some extent, the Aztecs.
But our ancestors did not reach their continent until 1492 Columbus discovered America.
Before that, no European, Asian, or African could have seen or eaten amaranth, quinoa, or chia seeds. In the end, we are descendants of the inhabitants of the African continent, not the American continent.
The exciting thing is that today’s celebrated superfoods, such as açaí or goji berries, originate from this new world.
500 years represents just the blink of an eye in human history—neither our parents nor any generation before used to eat pseudo-grains from the new world.
Thus, chia seeds are now experiencing their maiden voyage in our food cycle. For this reason, they are precisely not primal food in the Paleo or any other sense.
Therefore, neither our immune system nor the 100 trillion cells of intestinal bacteria that must cope with them have had time to prepare for these foods (Gundry et al. 20172).
Therefore, chia seeds do not have to be equally bad for the intestines. Nevertheless, their long-term effects are merely unexplored.
Another reason that new-world chia seeds could cause trouble for our intestines and the immune system because they contain proteins previously unknown to our bodies – so-called lectins.
Lectins
Plants also defend themselves against predators. They produce large, sticky proteins to ward off pests, insects, and microorganisms (Dolan et al. 20103).
Accordingly, these plant toxins’ concentration is usually high in pest-resistant crops (Macedo et al. 20154).
These lectins hide in seeds, grains, leaves, bark, and shells. Chia seeds, in particular, are therefore considered to contain lectins.
Although humans do not digest lectins, the sticky proteins can sneak into the bloodstream through their intestines.
In the process, lectins also facilitate the attachment and binding of viruses and bacteria, helping them reach their targets (Dalla Pellegrina et al. 20095).
For example, cereal and pseudo-grain lectins enable various pathogens to cause various diseases.
Moreover, lectins can bind to insulin and leptin receptors, ultimately leading to weight gain (Shechter 19836).
Also, some lectins increase insulin resistance, leading to even more weight gain (Kamikubo et al. 20087).
So chia seeds, which are supposed to help you lose weight, can be why you don’t lose weight despite eating a “healthy” diet.
Furthermore, according to studies, lectins can cause inflammation and toxic reactions (Freed 19998).
Inflammation and Weight Loss
The imbalance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can cause uncontrolled inflammation in the human body.
While researchers suggest an optimal omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids ratio of no more than 1:2, we present an average ratio of 1:17 or worse (Okuyama et al. 19969; Singh et al. 201010).
Due to industrial seed oils’ and refined carbohydrates’ dominance in the Western diet, this ratio has deteriorated significantly over the decades.
That’s where chia seeds could come in handy with their omega-3 fatty acids. But can the human body efficiently absorb the omega-3 fatty acids from chia seeds?
A randomized controlled study of 90 overweight women and men attempted to prove that chia seeds’ fiber and omega-3 content can reduce body weight, fat, and disease risk.
Nevertheless, even after 12 weeks, the scientists could not see any improvement in these factors.
Contrary to their hypothesis, they even found an increase in inflammatory markers in the subjects’ blood.
Accordingly, the lectin content in chia seeds prevents the presumed positive benefit against inflammation.
People often forget that chia seeds and all other plant sources contain only the mother of omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
The human body can only convert minimal amounts of ALA to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), according to studies (Zhao et al 200411).
Indeed potent anti-inflammatory and disease-preventive effects are reserved for EPA and DHA, which are found mainly in fatty fish (Sommer et al. 201112).
Accordingly, overall omega-3 content is not particularly meaningful. And in the case of chia seeds, you have to add the pro-inflammatory factor of lectins.
In addition to lectins, chia seeds contain another anti-nutrient, phytic acid. And phytic acid can insolubly bind those minerals that chia seeds provide in the digestive tract and prevent their proper absorption (Gibson et al. 201013).
They are high in oxalates as well, which promote kidney stones.
In the end, the superfood is not that super, after all. Those looking for a vegetarian anti-inflammatory alternative low in lectins may be better off with flax seeds (Faintuch et al. 200714).
Side Effects of Chia Seeds
Besides the fact that people can be allergic to chia seeds, the pseudo-grain has some other dangers you must consider.
Chia Seeds in Water
What makes these exotic seeds a famous binding agent in baking recipes can also entail dangers.
They can absorb 27 times their weight in water.
As the seeds form a thick gel from absorbing the liquid, they can swell up in the esophagus, making them impossible to swallow without medical treatment if you wash them down with water.
For this reason, you should soak chia seeds in another food or water before eating them – especially if you have a history of swallowing problems.
For this reason, young children should generally not eat chia seeds.
Can Too Many Chia Seeds Cause Digestive Issues?
Chia seeds consist of 38% fiber (*).
On the one hand, dietary fiber can promote health by allowing healthy gut bacteria to feast on it. On the other hand, however, too much fiber can trigger the following digestive problems (NRC 198915):
- Abdominal pain
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Finally, dietary fiber is the carbohydrate portion of plant foods that the human body cannot digest. Therefore, it is an anti-nutrient that reduces the absorption and digestion of food.
Accordingly, dietary fiber requires abundant water to pass through the digestive tract. But since chia seeds absorb water heavily and become enormously bloated, they can also cause digestive problems this way.
Can Chia Seeds Cause Constipation?
Although conventional wisdom touts fiber as a remedy for constipation, it is not.
If you’ve ever tried to push as much volume as possible through a narrow passage, you’ll have noticed that it doesn’t work well.
Therefore, more indigestible fiber that must pass through the digestive tract promotes constipation rather than prevents it.
Accordingly, one study shows that reducing fiber intake reduces constipation and related symptoms (Ho et al. 201216).
So if you struggle with constipation, avoiding high-fiber foods like chia seeds may be helpful.
Besides, people with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease must monitor their fiber intake and avoid chia seeds if necessary.
Are Chia Seeds Good During Pregnancy?
In addition to the dangers already discussed, no particular side effects of consuming chia seeds during pregnancy have been reported.
However, the seeds may cause adverse interactions with medications, such as antihypertensive or diabetes.
How Much Chia Seeds per Day?
After the tiny seeds triggered an initial international boom, the European Commission had to deal with the food.
Although it did not express any specific health concerns, the European Commission limited the intended use to 15 grams of chia seeds per day (*) and 2 grams of chia oil per day (*).
Again, there is a lack of more conclusive long-term studies and opinions.
The Bottom Line
Although these seeds are not unhealthy, they cannot deliver everything they promise. Unfortunately, it is precisely the positive effect on inflammation and weight loss that fails to materialize.
Calcium and zinc from chia seeds usually cannot be adequately absorbed by the body.
So, if you are looking for a safer vegan omega-3 source that can help you lose weight, you will instead find it in flax seeds.
Besides their preventative effects against cardiovascular disease, flax seeds are more likely to be produced regionally and have a smaller carbon footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much chia seeds should you eat a day?
According to the European Commission, you should consume not more than 15 grams of Chia seeds daily.
What is the benefits of chia seeds in your body?
Chia seeds contain plenty of minerals and healthy fats, but anti-nutrients in chia seeds, such as lectins and phytic acid, negate many of the claimed health benefits.
Do chia seeds help reduce belly fat?
Studies show that chia seeds may not help you lose body fat as expected. For weight loss, flax seeds may be a better alternative.
What happens when you eat chia seeds everyday?
Consuming too many chia seeds can cause digestive problems and constipation.
References
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1Coorey R, Tjoe A, Jayasena V. Gelling properties of chia seed and flour. J Food Sci. 2014 May;79(5):E859-66. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.12444. Epub 2014 Apr 15. PubMed PMID: 24734892.
2Gundry SR, Buehl OB. The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in “healthy” Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain. New York, NY: Harper Wave, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2017.
3Dolan LC, Matulka RA, Burdock GA. Naturally occurring food toxins. Toxins (Basel). 2010 Sep;2(9):2289-332. doi: 10.3390/toxins2092289. Epub 2010 Sep 20. Review. PubMed PMID: 22069686; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3153292.
4Macedo ML, Oliveira CF, Oliveira CT. Insecticidal activity of plant lectins and potential application in crop protection. Molecules. 2015 Jan 27;20(2):2014-33. doi: 10.3390/molecules20022014. Review. PubMed PMID: 25633332; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6272522.
5Dalla Pellegrina C, Perbellini O, Scupoli MT, Tomelleri C, Zanetti C, Zoccatelli G, Fusi M, Peruffo A, Rizzi C, Chignola R. Effects of wheat germ agglutinin on human gastrointestinal epithelium: insights from an experimental model of immune/epithelial cell interaction. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2009 Jun 1;237(2):146-53. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2009.03.012. Epub 2009 Mar 28. PubMed PMID: 19332085.
6Shechter Y. Bound lectins that mimic insulin produce persistent insulin-like activities. Endocrinology. 1983 Dec;113(6):1921-6. doi: 10.1210/endo-113-6-1921. PubMed PMID: 6357762.
7Kamikubo Y, Dellas C, Loskutoff DJ, Quigley JP, Ruggeri ZM. Contribution of leptin receptor N-linked glycans to leptin binding. Biochem J. 2008 Mar 15;410(3):595-604. doi: 10.1042/BJ20071137. PubMed PMID: 17983356.
8Freed DL. Do dietary lectins cause disease?. BMJ. 1999 Apr 17;318(7190):1023-4. doi: 10.1136/bmj.318.7190.1023. PubMed PMID: 10205084; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1115436.
9Okuyama H, Kobayashi T, Watanabe S. Dietary fatty acids–the N-6/N-3 balance and chronic elderly diseases. Excess linoleic acid and relative N-3 deficiency syndrome seen in Japan. Prog Lipid Res. 1996 Dec;35(4):409-57. doi: 10.1016/s0163-7827(96)00012-4. Review. PubMed PMID: 9246358.
#10-16
10Singh RB, Demeester F, Wilczynska A. The tsim tsoum approaches for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cardiol Res Pract. 2010;2010:824938. doi: 10.4061/2010/824938. Epub 2010 Jun 29. PubMed PMID: 20671994; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2910415.
11Zhao G, Etherton TD, Martin KR, West SG, Gillies PJ, Kris-Etherton PM. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid reduces inflammatory and lipid cardiovascular risk factors in hypercholesterolemic men and women. J Nutr. 2004 Nov;134(11):2991-7. doi: 10.1093/jn/134.11.2991. PubMed PMID: 15514264.
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13Gibson RS, Bailey KB, Gibbs M, Ferguson EL. A review of phytate, iron, zinc, and calcium concentrations in plant-based complementary foods used in low-income countries and implications for bioavailability. Food Nutr Bull. 2010 Jun;31(2 Suppl):S134-46. doi: 10.1177/15648265100312S206. Review. PubMed PMID: 20715598.
14Faintuch J, Horie LM, Barbeiro HV, Barbeiro DF, Soriano FG, Ishida RK, Cecconello I. Systemic inflammation in morbidly obese subjects: response to oral supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid. Obes Surg. 2007 Mar;17(3):341-7. doi: 10.1007/s11695-007-9062-x. PubMed PMID: 17546842.
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16Ho KS, Tan CY, Mohd Daud MA, Seow-Choen F. Stopping or reducing dietary fiber intake reduces constipation and its associated symptoms. World J Gastroenterol. 2012 Sep 7;18(33):4593-6. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i33.4593. PubMed PMID: 22969234; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3435786.
Stephan is a writer and a true man of science, holding multiple diplomas and master's degrees in different research areas. His greatest passion is closing the gap between the conventional perception of health and the latest scientific evidence – always following the data.
I just stumbled upon your site, and I’ve already ready two articles and bookmarked the page. I love that you cite your sources! We are inundated with “healthy” food articles and tend to believe them, and yet, a source is rarely cited. Thank you so much for putting this information out there.
Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for your appreciation! It really means a lot to me that my work could help you out. Have a great day, and feel free to share ideas for new topics you are interested in! 🙂
Great content! Thank you. I’ve been reading more about the side effects of grains, cereals, seeds thanks to @carnivoremd2.0 Instagram page.
Thank you for adding new sources to my researches.
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for your nice words 🙂
Saladino has some good points. To get some evidence-based insights about what’s behind the carnivore hype, read my article about the Carnivore Diet.
Have a great day,
Stephan
Thanks for your interesting article.
My wife and I have been soaking chia overnight for a pudding to have for breakfast. At age 70 and 75 for me we have had body aches and pains that we thought were just normal. However, in the pursuit of remaining healthy, and having a desire to reach age 100 so we may get a letter of congratulations from the new king. We started listening to Dr Gundry MD podcasts and YouTube videos and we have been blown away by how little we actually knew about health and ESPECIALLY about the damage LECTINS may have on our bodies. Let me end by saying after 3 months of, (as best we can) Lectin free eating our aches and pains, for the most part have disappeared, and our mental health and energy are a total amazement.
Hi Jeff,
I am delighted that you found this article helpful. Thanks for the cheerful post and for sharing your experiences with us. Great to hear about your fantastic progress regarding energy and mental health. Please keep us posted on your progress and insights 🙂
Lectins are mind-blowing, and so are many other issues where the common perception of health is plain wrong. There is much more insightful content to come (e.g., other antinutrients we do not know much about) on this blog and in my books.
Have a great day,
Stephan