After one man indigested a spoon of chia seeds, followed by a glass of water, and was rushed to the emergency room as he was unable to breathe, many people have become concerned about this seed. Chia seeds are usually associated with the high nutritious content found in them and have also been linked to a long list of health benefits.
With a rising concern of potential dangers linked to this seed, however, it is important to consider potential side-effects and to ensure you consume the seeds the right way to avoid such complications.
Choking Hazard Associated With Chia Seeds
A man, aged 39, decided to consume an entire tablespoon filled with dry chia seeds. He then followed the consumption of the chia seeds with some water. This immediately created a choking hazard for him – and understanding why is possible, as this will help you know why you should not follow the same consumption method, but rather look at alternative ways to get your daily dose of chia seeds.
The thing about chia seeds is that they can effectively absorb water – and once this happens, the seeds start to swell and become a gel-like substance. In fact, chia seeds can swell to 12 times their original size, given that they are combined with enough water to absorb.
This is what happened with the man who almost choked on chia seeds. After consuming the dry chia seeds, some of the seeds remained stuck in his esophagus. The water he consumed was then absorbed by the chia seeds, which caused them to expand greatly and lead to a blockage in his throat. The result was difficulty breathing – and doctors at the emergency room actually had to remove the swollen chia seeds that caused the blockage from the man’s throat.
Even though this type of complication is possible with chia seeds, there are ways to consume these seeds without placing yourself at risk of choking. The best way to do so if you prefer to take your chia seeds as is would be to add the chia seeds to some water and allow them to soak for a while. Once they have absorbed the water and swollen up, you can consume them.
You can, of course, also try out one of the many recipes out there that contain chia seeds. These recipes range from desserts to dinners and even snacks. They will help you not only obtain the nutrients of chia seeds but sometimes even include additional ingredients that can be beneficial to your health.
Other Risks Associated With Chia Seeds
Choking isn’t the only risk that has been associated with these seeds. When chia seeds are consumed in moderation, they are great for the human body and can lead to a large number of benefits. When too many chia seeds are consumed, however, it leads to a number of potential risks. While not everyone will experience significant side-effects when they consume a significant amount of these seeds, understanding the risks is still important.
Chia seeds are exceptionally rich in fiber. You can get 11 grams of quality plant-based fiber by simply eating a 28-gram serving of chia seeds. While that is quite impressive, this also means that eating too many chia seeds leads to excessive intake of fiber. Fiber surely is an essential substance that the human body relies on for a healthy digestive system, but when too much fiber is present in the body – especially without adequate amounts of water to support the movement of the fiber – side-effects are sure to develop.
Side-effects of excessive fiber intake often include pain in the abdominal area, along with several gastrointestinal problems. Gas and bloating are common amongst people who eat too much fiber, especially without slowly introducing their bodies to the higher amounts of the substance. Additionally, diarrhea or constipation may also develop. Constipation is especially a risk if you fail to drink enough water when you eat a large amount of fiber.
Chia Seeds Can Interact With Pharmaceutical Drugs
There is also the risk that chia seeds, when consumed excessively, may interact with certain types of pharmaceutical drugs that you might be taking. If you are currently taking medication for diabetes or blood pressure, then it might be a very good idea to limit your intake of chia seeds.
It has been found that the consumption of chia seeds may reduce sugar levels in the blood. While consuming these seeds in moderation should not have a significant effect on blood sugar levels, eating a lot of chia seeds may lead to a significant drop in blood sugar. Combined with medications used to treat diabetes, this may lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels – a condition that can quickly lead to potentially harmful side-effects.
The same goes for blood pressure medication. Chia seeds can also help to reduce blood pressure levels – with this in mind when combined with medication that is used to treat hypertension, and chia seeds may lead to blood pressure becoming too low. This can also cause you to experience hazardous complications.
Conclusion
Chia seeds are considered very healthy. They are rich in plant-based proteins and fiber, as well as healthy fats. The incorrect consumption of these seeds, however, can lead to possibly life-threatening complications.
Chia seeds should ideally be soaked in water before consumption or used in cooking. It is also important to consider possible drug-related interactions and to avoid eating too many of these seeds, as excessive fiber intake may yield unpleasant results.
