When it is not recommended to eat chia seeds? Discovering their contraindications will help you in certain cases to know whether or not you can consume them with peace of mind.
There is no doubt that, in recent years, they have become an extremely popular food. We are talking about the so-called chia seeds. As you surely know, they consist of seeds that come from a plant native to Central America, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, which were already known and consumed by indigenous tribes more than 6,000 years ago, not only used by their nutritional wealth but for their supposed mystical qualities (hence they were widely used in religious rituals).
With these seeds you can make iskiate, also known from a more popular point of view as izquiate or fresh chia water, and which is prepared with water, lemon juice and traditionally sweetened with honey or brown sugar.
Regarding the benefits that chia seeds provide, we are faced with a very powerful food nutritionally or nutritionally speaking, thanks to its richness in: essential fatty acids (especially Omega-3 and Omega-6), vitamins (vitamin A and B vitamins), minerals (especially potassium and calcium) and fiber.
They become an excellent natural option when it comes to preventing cardiovascular diseases, precisely thanks to their richness in essential fatty acids, which prevent blood circulation problems, hypertension and help reduce high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Due to its richness in fiber, it is especially suitable for people who suffer from constipation, by helping to relieve it by improving intestinal transit. In this sense, they also become an interesting food for those with diabetes, by helping to regulate blood glucose levels.
However, despite being an extremely healthy food, before consuming them it is necessary to discover the contraindications of chia seeds, and when it is not advisable to eat them. We explain it to you below.
When is it not advisable to eat chia seeds?
When certain medications are used
The consumption of these seeds is not recommended when following a medical treatment based on drugs to treat hypertension. This is because these seeds help lower blood pressure, and can alarmingly enhance the effects of these medications. Its consumption is not recommended when taking medications for diabetes, presenting low blood sugar levels or receiving insulin, as well as when taking anticoagulant medications.
When you have hypotension
Hypotension consists of the presence of low blood pressure (that is, values lower than those considered normal). By lowering blood pressure, if a person with hypotension consumes them they can lower these levels even more alarmingly.
When you have diverticulosis
Chia seeds are very rich in fiber, so their consumption is not recommended in people who suffer from diverticulosis, which consists of the appearance of small bags that bulge in the colon or large intestine.
Other contraindications of chia seeds
- When suffering from diarrhea: since they tend to increase and speed up intestinal transit.
- When you have had surgery on the digestive system: such as stomach surgery, small intestine or colon surgery.
- When you have gases: because of its high fiber content.
