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Chia Seeds For Digestion: Chia seeds are incredibly healthy seeds that one should include in their daily diet for overall health and well-being. They are a nutrient powerhouse that has a beneficial impact on the functioning of the body. They contain essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids that improve heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and also manage blood sugar levels.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Ranga Santhosh Kumar, Consultant General Physician & Diabetologist, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad explained how chia seeds can be a great seed for digestion.

Watch the video below about health benefits of chia seeds: 

According to Dr Kumar, chia seeds may have several benefits for digestion and the absorption of some components of the food you eat. Research into this is in the early stages, but potential digestive benefits of chia seed include improving intestinal tissue health, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria (flora), altering the absorption of some dietary components, and easing constipation.

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Dr Kumar added, ‘The types of fibre in chia seeds are believed to slow digestion, which allows your body more time to absorb nutrients from food. Chia seeds can absorb a lot of water. When they do, they take on a gel-like consistency. Similar gel-forming fibre sources add bulk and weight to stools, which softens them and helps them pass.’

Ideal Amount Of Consuming Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are incredibly healthy seeds for digestion (Image Credits: Canva)

According to Dr Kumar, the fibre content of chia seeds is about 27 grams (g) per 100 g serving.2 The recommended daily allowance of fibre for adults is between 22 and 34 grams a day. Research suggests that chia seeds may provide several other health benefits as well. They're thought to have beneficial properties as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant which fights unstable compounds that can cause disease, an anti-blood clotting agent, antidepressant, anti-anxiety treatment and analgesic (painkiller).

Benefits Of Chia Seeds

Eating chia seeds may help to lower your triglycerides and improve high cholesterol, lower after-meal blood sugar levels, support use for diabetes, improve high blood pressure, protect your vision, and stimulate your immune system. Based on their high level of omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds are thought to promote cardiovascular health by tempering inflammation.

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Dr Kumar suggests being mindful of the amount of chia seeds you consume as eating or taking too much fibre can lead to gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Side effects can be minimised by slowly increasing your fibre intake. This gives your body time to adjust.16