Chia seeds have long been touted as a “superfood” that improves digestion and relieves constipation.
However, experts warn that the main ingredient in yogurt and smoothie can lead to serious gastrointestinal injuries if eaten incorrectly.
Dr. Wendi LeBrett, a gastroenterologist at UCLA Health in California, shared on TikTok how the seeds can get stuck in the digestive tract and cause a major medical problem.
In the video, which has been viewed more than 3.4 million times, she showed an image of a ball of chia seeds going down a person’s esophagus – the passageway that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Dr. Wendi LeBrett, a gastroenterologist at UCLA Health in California, took to TikTok to talk about how the seeds can get stuck in the esophagus
Chia seeds are small black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family
Dr. LeBrett told her 86,000 followers: ‘Chia seeds can absorb up to 27 times their own weight in water, so please don’t eat them dry or you’ll be seeing a gastroenterologist soon.’
The seeds’ ability to absorb a large amount of fluid causes them to expand in the saliva and in some cases form a large blockage in the esophagus.
In a follow-up video posted in May, Dr. LeBrett recommended drinking plenty of water while eating chia seeds to avoid discomfort, as this helps them pass through the digestive system more quickly.
Dehydration can also increase the risk of intestinal blockages because the intestines must absorb water from food waste to soften stool.
“Otherwise, it can form a thick, gloomy, concrete-like mess in your digestive tract,” she said.
A 2014 report published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology described the case of a man with impacted chia seeds in his esophagus.
The patient, a 39-year-old man with asthma, visited a hospital in North Carolina complaining of difficulty swallowing.
A 2014 case report detailed how a man swallowed a tablespoon of chia seeds with water and had them inserted into his digestive tract
About 12 hours before seeking medical attention, he had swallowed a tablespoon of dry chia seeds, followed by a glass of water, he told health professionals.
Tests revealed an ‘esophageal obstruction with a hydrated chia seed gel.’
The team had to perform an endoscopy – a procedure that uses a long tube with a camera on the end to examine the esophagus – to push small amounts of chia seeds from the esophagus into the stomach until the blockage was cleared.
However, the team had to use an infant endoscope because the chia seeds had created such a large obstruction that an adult endoscope could not fit through the passage.
If left untreated, an esophageal blockage can lead to difficulty swallowing, inability to eat, difficulty breathing, and rupture of the esophagus, which can allow food and fluids to leak into the chest and cause serious lung problems.
The case study authors said: ‘Patients should never consume dry chia seeds.
‘They can absorb and expand many times their weight in water and can become lodged in a patient’s esophagus, especially if there is a history of swallowing problems.
“But when used properly, chia seeds are safe.”
The authors continued: ‘They should only be mixed with sufficient amounts of liquid to allow them to expand before consuming.’
This may involve putting them in a pudding or smoothie, or soaking them in water before eating them.
“Patients with a history of swallowing problems should use them with caution,” the case report authors said.
Chia seeds come from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is native to central and southern Mexico, as well as Guatemala.
They have received a lot of attention from dietitians and wellness gurus because they are rich in several nutrients.
For example, each two-tablespoon serving contains 9.8 grams of fiber, more than one-third of the 28 gram daily recommended amount by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Fiber regulates the body’s use of sugars, keeping blood sugar levels under control.
It also keeps you full longer and aids digestion.
The seeds also provide nearly a quarter of the daily recommended intake of magnesium, which supports immune function and bone health, and 20 percent of the recommended intake of phosphorus, which is needed for cell repair.