Chia Seeds Side Effects: Are Chia Seeds A Choking Hazard?

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica), a superfood, contain several minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. While we all know the multiple health benefits of chia seeds including beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, glycemic control and weight loss, what we do not know is that there can be chia seeds side effects and that there is a way to consume chia seeds otherwise they can be really hazardous.

Further, there are several hidden chia seeds side effects that one should be aware of. And finally, they can interact with a number of other drugs or medications to cause potential food-drug interactions that can harm us. So, are chia seeds a choking hazard? Yes, you heard it right. Chia seeds can cause choking.

As per the American College of Gastroenterology (1), Chia seeds can absorb up to 27 times their weight in water. What does it mean? It implies that it can expand inside the esophagus (food pipe) and get stuck there causing a potential choking hazard. Then removal by endoscopy is recommended.

Recently, a viral video of Dr. Sermed Mezher showed how chia seeds can get stuck and choked in a food pipe of a 39-year-old man and how consuming them can become a medical emergency. The man after eating 1 tablespoon of chia seeds couldn’t keep his saliva down due to choked chia seeds in the food pipe and soon developed breathing difficulties (2, 3).

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Why Chia Seeds Are A Choking Hazard?

Chia seeds have certain characteristics that make them a choking hazard. Firstly, they have hydrophilic properties because of their soluble fiber content. Secondly, they have the capacity to absorb up to 27 times their weight in water. Thus, they expand with a gel-like consistency and have the potential to get stuck in the mouth or food pipe causing choking.

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Apart from choking, there are other Chia seeds side effects such as digestive problems, and even cause an allergic reaction. Also, chia seeds are known to interact with so many other drugs. Please see next section on Chia seeds side effects and drug interactions.

Why should we not consume dry Chia Seeds?

One should not consume dry Chia Seeds. Because of the water absorbing property of chia seeds and the fact that they can expand inside the foodpipe when consumed dry, it is always advisable to consume soaked chia seeds. One can also add them in moist foods like yogurt, oatmeal, honey, etc. But one should not consume dry chia seeds to prevent the risk of choking.

Chia Seeds Side Effects

Choking is not the only potential hazard associated with Chia seeds. There are other side effects too. Though chia seeds are generally considered safe and are full of nutrition, there are several side effects that one should be aware of. These are:

Digestive Issues

Excess of anything is bad, and so is the case with chia seeds. Though chia seeds, because of their high fibre content, can benefit gastric health, excess consumption may cause digestive issues like bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea or other gastric issues.

Esophageal blockade or Swallowing Problems

As discussed previously, people with esophageal blockade or swallowing issues will have their symptoms precipitated and risk of choking may increase.

CKD and Kidney Stones

Chia seeds have high oxalate content and high oxalate can harm the kidneys. For more info on oxalates, please refer to Healthieyoo article.

Increased Risk of Cancer

Chia seeds contain alpha linoleic acid (ALA) that have several beneficial effects on health. However, few studies have found an association between ALA and risk of prostate cancer (4). The opposite was also observed that they reduce the risk of cancer (5). Hence, the available evidence is controversial and further studies are absolutely warranted to ascertain its risk profile.

Allergic Reactions

Just like any other food source, chia seeds can also be allergic for certain individuals. Allergies with seeds like flaxseeds, chia seeds have been reported in the medical literature (6). Further, cross reactivity of chia seeds with other food allergens has also been documented (7).

Chia Seeds Drug Interactions

There is evidence that chia seeds can interact with certain medications. For instance, in an experimental study, chia seeds interacted with clomiphene citrate, a cytotoxic drug, to cause hemorhage as an adverse effect (8). With anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, chia seeds can increase the risk of bleeding. Chia seeds can also interact with anti-HIV drug azatanavir to lower its plasma levels leading to loss of efficacy of the drug (9).

Further, chia seeds can interact with antihypertensive medications to increase blood pressure lowering effect due to its angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibiting action (10). Similarly, as chia seeds have blood glucose lowering effect, they may interact with antidiabetic medications to lower blood glucose further resulting in hypoglycemia. Finally, excess fibre in chia seeds can delay or slow the absorption of other medications or nutrients.

Who should avoid taking Chia Seeds?

People with dysphagia or a history of choking foodpipe or blockade in the esophagus (esophageal impaction). It is important to note that the 39 year old man who presented with choking of esophagus had prior dysphagia or swallowing issues.

People with CKD because of its high potassium and phosphorus content.

We have heard about oxalates in Healthieyoo. Chia seeds also have high oxalate content and thus can bind to calcium and pose a risk of developing kindney stones.

Like any other food, if one is allergic to chia seeds.

So, then how to consume Chia Seeds?

Well, one needs to soak them properly in water or any other liquid so that they can fully expand in the outside environment before consuming them inside. Though it is recommended to soak them for 15-30minutes, to be safe, we advise to soak them overnight and consume them in the morning.

Take away

Here we uncovered choking as the hidden risk of Chia seeds if not consumed properly. This is a reminder that even the healthiest foods should be approached with utmost caution. The side effects of chia seeds can only occur in certain population. However, if you do not belong to that category and if you soak chia seeds properly, then you can relish their multiple health benefits. Overall, chia seeds are safe to consume and a superfood full of nutrition.

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