Benefits of Chia Seeds in Water

Do you want to feel better than ever? Then it’s time to start adding chia seeds into your daily diet. Known for its weight-loss capabilities, chia seed water, especially with a squeeze of lemon, is becoming a staple in many health-conscious diets. This lemon water with chia seeds is a weight loss booster and is not just a fad; it has science-backed benefits that can aid your journey to a healthier lifestyle.

There’s a humble superfood in our midst that’s packed with nutrients and incredibly easy to incorporate into our daily routine – chia seeds! When these tiny seeds are soaked in water, they transform into a gel-like substance and their magic truly unfolds. This post is all about the remarkable benefits of chia seeds in water, an unlikely but powerful combination that deserves your attention.

Consuming chia seeds in water is not just about getting a nutritious boost; it’s a practice that can enhance your overall wellbeing. From helping to keep you hydrated, aiding in weight loss, to supporting your digestive health, this simple beverage holds a lot of promise. So, join us as we delve into the myriad benefits of this health-enhancing drink and provide some tips on how to best enjoy it. By the end, you might find that chia seeds in water becomes your go-to health drink!

Understanding the Power of Chia Seeds in Water

If you are new to my blog, welcome. My name is Ayat. I am a registered dietitian, and I think chia seeds are the most amazing food you should be adding daily into your diet. Chia seeds are a nutrient powerhouse and can easily be added to your daily routine, even if it’s just in a glass of water.  Chia seeds are known for boosting energy levels, improving digestion, and making weight loss a little bit simpler. When soaked in water, these small seeds become a nutritional powerhouse, packed with many essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.

Nutritional Content and Composition

I often talk about the Benefits of Chia Seeds For Stomach Health and The Benefits Of Chia Seeds & Women’s Health, but here is a quick breakdown of what you need to know.

Vitamins and Minerals in Chia Seeds

Let’s start with the vitamins and minerals in chia seeds. Chia seeds are a great source of calcium, which, as you probably already know, helps maintain strong bones and teeth. They also contain high levels of magnesium, which is great for muscle relaxation and energy production. Chia seeds are rich in phosphorus and iron which contributes to healthy cell function, tissue repair, oxygen transport throughout the body and supports the formation of red blood cells. In other words, you will feel more energetic and ready to conquer your day just by adding this magical seed to water.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Key Component

The good news is, if you’re like me and you struggle to eat fish at least twice per week, you can get your omega-3’s from chia seeds! Chia seeds are a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes heart health, reduces inflammation, and my favorite, it helps support healthy skin and hair. Make a few servings of this blueberry chia pudding, and you have your omega-3’s covered for the week!

Fibre Content: An Overview

One of the most underrated nutrients out there, especially if you are trying to lose weight and improve your gut health, is fiber. Luckily, a single serving of chia seeds, typically around 28 grams (2 tablespoons) contains approximately 10 grams of fiber per serving. This is about a third of the daily recommended amount of fiber you need to be aiming for.  

Increasing your fiber intake is so important for overall health and well-being. Fiber promotes healthy digestion by adding bulk to the stool, helping to prevent constipation and promoting regular bowel movements. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight, as it promotes a feeling of fullness and can help control appetite. Fiber also plays a role in stabilizing blood sugar levels, which reduces cravings and overeating throughout the day. 

Last but definitely not least, a high-fiber diet is linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic conditions, such as colon cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The Magic Behind Soaking Chia Seeds

If you want to get the full benefits of chia seeds, then soaking them in a liquid is very important. Chia seeds have the ability to absorb liquid and form a gel-like substance. This gel formation not only enhances the palatability of chia seeds but also offers several benefits.  

Making Nutrients More Accessible

Soaking chia seeds brings out all the good stuff that these little seeds have to offer.

Allowing some time for chia seeds to soak in liquid enhances the accessibility of their nutrients through a process called gelatinization. This gelatinous coating helps break down the outer layer of the seed, making the nutrients more accessible to the body during digestion.

The essential minerals in dry chia seeds, like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, are bound to phytic acid. Phytic acid can get in the way of the absorption of these minerals in the body. However, soaking chia seeds can help break down phytic acid, increasing the availability of these minerals for absorption.

Reducing Anti-nutrients and Enzyme Inhibitors

So first, anti-nutrients are compounds found in some foods that can interfere with the absorption or utilization of nutrients in the body. Like I just mentioned, chia seeds contain anti-nutrients such as phytic acid. Phytic acid can bind to minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, making them less available for absorption. But soaking chia seeds helps reduce the levels of phytic acid by activating enzymes that break it down.

Enzyme inhibitors, on the other hand, gets in the way of the digestive enzymes in the body, potentially interfering with the breakdown and absorption of nutrients. Soaking chia seeds can help deactivate these enzyme inhibitors, making the seeds easier to digest and allowing for better utilization of their nutrients.

The process of soaking chia seeds in water or other liquids creates a gel-like substance, which helps initiate enzymatic activity and breakdown of anti-nutrients and enzyme inhibitors. So that slimy texture from chia seeds is where all the magic happens!

6 Major Health Benefits of Soaked Chia Seeds

Enhanced Digestive Health

I’m not going to go fully in depth here, as I have covered this earlier in the post, but one of the key nutrients in chia seeds is dietary fiber. Soaking the seeds allows the fiber to expand and become softer, which aids in digestion and promotes regular bowel movements. Soaked chia seeds helps slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, because of their high fiber content. This results in a slow release of energy and sustained feelings of fullness. Not to mention that because chia seeds help improve gut and digestive health. The fiber helps your good bacteria thrive in your gut!

Heart Health and Cholesterol Control

Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, specifically alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-3 fatty acids are known to support heart health by reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and promoting healthy cholesterol levels. When chia seeds are soaked, their omega-3 fatty acid content becomes more bioavailable, allowing the body to better absorb and utilize these heart-healthy fats.

Bone Health and Mineral Absorption

Chia seeds have amazing benefits for your bones, and if you are a woman, it’s so important to prioritize bone health as you age! These minerals for bone health, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese, are vital for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Calcium, in particular, is essential for bone health and is better absorbed when consumed alongside foods that enhance its absorption. The gelatinous texture of soaked chia seeds can help create an optimal environment for calcium absorption, maximizing its utilization for maintaining strong bones.

Weight Management and Satiety

Eating chia seeds in the form of pudding or sprinkled on top of your morning parfait is perfect if your goal is weight management. Chia seeds expand in the stomach helping you feel full, and because of their balanced macronutrient profile (carbs, protein, and healthy fats), it’ll help keep you full until your next meal!

Blood Sugar Regulation and Diabetes Control

Eating chia seeds helps prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, which improves glycemic control and supports overall blood sugar regulation. And because chia seeds are so amazing, they have a low glycemic index, which means they cause a slower and more controlled rise in blood glucose compared to high-glycemic foods. Incorporating chia seeds into meals or snacks can help promote a more balanced blood sugar response and reduce the risk of blood sugar fluctuations. In other words, this reduces the sharp spike and crash in blood sugar levels after you eat chia seeds which in turn helps reduce how fast insulin is released into the blood stream which is great for controlling diabetes.

Skin Health and Anti-aging Effects

Thanks to the healthy fats in chia seeds, the omega-3’s are great for skin health and anti-aging. Healthy fats contribute to supple, bouncy, nourished skin and who doesn’t want that? Eat your chia seeds ladies!

How to Prepare Soaked Chia Seeds

Proper Ratios of Water to Chia Seeds

After making chia seeds many, many times in the last few years, I have found that the best ratio of water to chia seeds is 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to ¼ cup water (or any liquid). I typically use 2 tablespoons of chia seeds whenever I’m making anything with chia seeds, so I require 1/2 cup liquid!

Ideal Soaking Time for Optimal Benefits

You really need to give your chia seeds time to expand and gelatinize so you can get the full benefits. Ideal soaking time is at least 2 hours and even better if you leave them overnight! But if you are making chia seed water, 15 minutes is enough.

Storing Soaked Chia Seeds: Tips and Tricks

When it comes to storing soaked chia seeds, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:

• Refrigeration is key: After soaking chia seeds, it’s best to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cool temperature helps maintain their freshness and prevents the growth of bacteria.
• Use within a few days: Soaked chia seeds are best consumed within a few days of soaking. While they can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator, it’s recommended to use them sooner for optimal taste and texture.
• Stir before storing: Chia seeds tend to settle at the bottom of the container when soaked. Before storing them, give the mixture a good stir to distribute the seeds evenly throughout the gel. This ensures a consistent texture when you’re ready to use them.
• Adjust the consistency: If the soaked chia seeds become too thick or gel-like during storage, you can add a small amount of liquid (such as water or your preferred beverage) and stir to adjust the consistency before consuming.

Creative Ways to Use Soaked Chia Seeds

In Breakfast Dishes

The most obvious one here is chia pudding. You can do any flavor you want, from mango to blueberry to chocolate or vanilla, chia seed pudding is the most common and my personal favorite. You can also sprinkle a tablespoon or two in parfaits or in yogurt bowls or in your cereal!

As a Snack or Dessert

You can use chia seeds in a snack or dessert in these easy variations:

• Chia Jam: Mix soaked chia seeds with mashed fruits (such as berries or peaches) and a touch of sweetener. Allow the mixture to sit in the refrigerator until it thickens into a jam-like consistency. Spread it on toast, pancakes, or on top of yogurt.
• Chia Energy Balls: Combine soaked chia seeds with nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and a binder like nut butter or honey. Blend the ingredients together, roll into bite-sized balls, and refrigerate until firm. These energy balls make a convenient and nutritious snack for on-the-go.

In Smoothies and Beverages

As we have already touched on, you can add a tablespoon of chia seeds into a glass of water and a squeeze of lemon juice if you’re feeling fancy. You can also add a tablespoon to your morning High Protein High Fiber Smoothie.

As a Healthy Addition to Baked Goods

Adding chia seeds to baked goods is a great way to incorporate their nutritional benefits into your favorite treats. Here are a few ideas:

• Chia Egg Substitute: Chia seeds can be used as an egg substitute in vegan or egg-free baking recipes. To replace one egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes until it forms a gel-like consistency. Use this chia gel as a substitute for each egg in your recipe.
• Chia Seed Toppings: Sprinkle whole chia seeds on top of bread, muffins, or cookies before baking. Just keep in mind that whole chia seeds may have a slightly noticeable texture, so if you prefer a smoother texture, you can grind the chia seeds into a powder before adding them as a topping.
• Chia Seed Mix-ins: Add soaked chia seeds directly into your batter or dough. You can fold them into muffin or bread batter, cookie dough, or pancake batter. This ensures that the chia seeds are evenly distributed throughout the baked goods, providing nutritional benefits in every bite.

Keeping Chia Seed Consumption Safe

Potential Allergic Reactions to Chia Seeds

While chia seeds are considered safe for consumption by the majority of people, allergic reactions to chia seeds can occur in some individuals.  if you have known allergies to other seeds or plants in the mint family, such as sesame seeds or basil, you may be at a higher risk of developing an allergic reaction to chia seeds.

Contraindications with Certain Medications

While chia seeds are generally safe,  potential interactions can occur but it varies depending on the specific medication, dosage, and health factors. If you have concerns about possible interactions between chia seeds and your medications, speak to your doctor. Here are some contraindications you should keep in mind though:

• Blood-thinning medications: Chia seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have blood-thinning properties. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, it’s important to use caution with chia seed consumption. The combination of chia seeds and these medications may increase the risk of bleeding.
• Blood pressure medications: Chia seeds may have a slight blood pressure-lowering effect. If you are taking medications to manage your blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers, incorporating chia seeds into your diet may further lower your blood pressure.
• Diabetes medications: If you are taking medications to manage diabetes, such as insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels closely when incorporating chia seeds into your diet. This is because chia seeds can impact blood sugar levels and may enhance the effects of diabetes medications.
• Gastrointestinal medications: If you are taking medications for gastrointestinal conditions, such as diverticulitis or irritable bowel syndrome, add chia seeds with caution and speak to your doctor. Chia seeds absorb liquid and can expand in the stomach, potentially causing gastrointestinal discomfort or obstruction.

Reaping the Benefits of Chia Seeds in Water: A Step Towards Better Health

Incorporating chia seeds in water offers a simple and effective way to reap the benefits of chia seeds in a way that takes less than 1 minute to prepare. From improved hydration and digestion to enhanced heart health and weight management, chia seeds have proven themselves to be a nutritional powerhouse and I have yet to see a more amazing seed that has ALL these benefits!

Whether you choose to enjoy chia seed-infused water as a refreshing beverage, incorporate them into meals, or use them in creative recipes, reaping the benefits of chia seeds in water is a step towards better health and our overall wellbeing. Send me a message on Instagram if you end up trying the chia seed water!