1. Can Cause Constipation Or Diarrhea. A high-fiber diet doesn’t work for every body type. Too much fiber in one go can lead to flatulence, constipation, and diarrhea. It’s a good idea to eat chia seeds with a lot of water or soak them first. Soaking makes it easier to digest them. It also offers the added benefit of releasing all the nutrients stored inside.
2. Can Make You Choke. Chia seeds have gained notoriety as a choking hazard. When you don’t presoak your chia seeds or eat them without roasting, you run the risk of gagging or choking on them. You may even end up in the ER as a result. Because the seed when dry and unroasted absorbs as much as 27 times its dry weight in water. It turns gelatinous and expands hugely, plump with water. This sticky mass can get stuck in your esophagus, making you choke. Always soak the seeds or roast them.
3. Can Prevent Blood Clotting. As they are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds can act as natural blood thinners, preventing your blood from clotting. If you are already taking blood-thinning medication like warfarin, steer clear of chia. For the same reason, avoid chia seeds right after a surgery to avoid excessive bleeding.
4. Can Worsen Your Diverticulitis. People with diverticulitis develop bulging sacs or pockets called diverticula along the lining of the large intestine. These get inflamed and try to push out through the colon wall, causing pain (usually on the left side of the abdomen), bloating, or diarrhea. While one cure for diverticular diseases is a high-fiber diet, and chia seeds are high in fiber, you should avoid them when an attack is under way. These tiny seeds often get stuck in the diverticula and inflame them.
5. Can Set Off An Allergic Reaction. Chia seeds have a lot of protein in them and that’s bad news if you are allergic to the protein in chia. Reactions can range from skin rashes and hives to watery eyes, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also watch out for repetitive coughing, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, and a hoarse throat. You may also feel dizzy. As inflammation flares up in the larynx, tongue, and mouth, you could find it difficult to talk and even breathe.
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