Home Ingredients Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica)
CardiovascularMetabolic Health

Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica)

Salvia hispanica
Evidence Level
Limited
7 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Chia is the small seed of Salvia hispanica, a plant native to southern Mexico and northern Guatemala. By weight, dried chia is about one third fiber and nearly one third fat, and close to 60% of that fat is the plant omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): roughly 4.5 g of ALA and 8.6 g of fiber in a 25 g serving. In liquid the seeds form a thick gel. Human studies are small and results differ by outcome. Pooled analyses point to lower blood pressure, but reviewers rated most of the studies low quality. Single-meal tests found a smaller rise in blood sugar after eating and less hunger, yet pooled analyses of longer trials found no change in fasting blood sugar, cholesterol or body weight. Milled seed raised blood omega-3 levels better than whole seed. Never eat chia dry: soak it first, because dry seeds that swell in the throat have blocked the esophagus.

Studied Dose 25 to 50 g/day of whole or milled seed for 10 to 12 weeks; 35 to 40 g/day in the blood pressure trials; 7 to 25 g in single-meal tests. Milled seed raised blood omega-3 levels better. Soak the seeds or mix them into wet food; never eat them dry.
Active Compound Whole or milled chia seed (Salvia hispanica): alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, a plant omega-3 fat), gel-forming soluble and insoluble fiber, and protein.

Benefits

Blood pressure support

Three pooled analyses of 8 to 10 small randomized trials found systolic pressure about 5.6 to 7.9 mmHg lower with chia, but one review rated most studies low quality and an earlier review of 12 trials rated the certainty low or very low. In a 12-week trial of 50 g/day in 76 overweight adults, blood pressure did not differ from placebo.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Smaller rise in blood sugar after a meal

In single-meal tests in 13 to 15 healthy adults, 7 to 25 g of chia baked into bread or stirred into a glucose drink lowered the 2-hour rise in blood sugar, more so at higher amounts. Over weeks it is a different picture: a pooled analysis of 8 trials found no change in fasting glucose, HbA1c or insulin.

Supported by Trial 7, Trial 4

Plant omega-3 (ALA) intake

Close to 60% of chia's fat is ALA, about 4.5 g per 25 g serving. Eating chia daily raised blood ALA in trials. In a 10-week trial, milled chia also raised EPA while the same amount of whole seed did not significantly change either one. DHA, the main omega-3 in fish oil, did not rise, so chia does not stand in for fish oil.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 7

Appetite and fullness after eating

In a crossover study in 24 adults, a yogurt snack with 7 or 14 g of chia reduced hunger and the amount eaten at lunch, and in a glucose-drink test chia lowered appetite ratings more than flax. These were one-day effects. Pooled trials found no change in body weight, and one 6-month diet trial found about 1.6 kg more loss than control.

Supported by Trial 5, Trial 7

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels

A pooled analysis of 10 randomized trials found no statistically significant change in total cholesterol, LDL, HDL or triglycerides with chia. Two other analyses found a small drop in HDL, often called the good cholesterol. Chia supplies ALA and fiber, but it should not be counted on to improve a lipid panel.

Supported by Trial 7, Trial 6

Mechanism of action

1

Gel-forming fiber

Chia's soluble fiber swells into a thick gel in liquid. In lab testing a chia drink was about 20 times more viscous than a flax drink, and the researchers proposed that this thicker gel releases sugar from a meal more slowly, which would fit the smaller post-meal blood sugar rise and lower appetite seen in single-meal tests.

2

Omega-3 ALA

Eating chia raises blood ALA, and in two trials EPA rose as well, but DHA did not rise in the chia trials that measured it. How much of any blood pressure effect comes from ALA, fiber or minerals has not been worked out.

3

Milling breaks the seed coat

Grinding the seed changes what the body gets from it. In a 10-week trial, milled chia raised blood ALA and EPA while the same amount of whole seed did not significantly change them. For the post-meal blood sugar effect, however, whole and ground seed baked into bread worked equally well.

Clinical trials

1
Salba Chia Added to Usual Care in Type 2 Diabetes: 12-Week Crossover RCT
PubMed

Single-blind randomized crossover trial of 37 g/day Salba chia versus wheat bran for 12 weeks each, added to usual diabetes treatment (Vuksan et al. 2007, Diabetes Care).

20 adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes (average age 64) in Toronto, Canada.

Compared with wheat bran, chia lowered systolic blood pressure by about 6.3 mmHg and lowered hs-CRP and von Willebrand factor, markers linked to inflammation and blood clotting. Plasma ALA and EPA roughly doubled. Body weight and liver, kidney and clotting tests did not change. Very small, single-blind, and done in people already under medical care.

2
50 g/day Chia vs Placebo in Overweight Adults: 12-Week RCT (null)
PubMed

Single-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of 25 g chia in water twice daily before the first and last meal for 12 weeks (Nieman et al. 2009, Nutr Res).

90 overweight or obese men and women aged 20 to 70 without diagnosed disease; 76 completed (39 chia, 37 placebo).

Plasma ALA rose 24.4% on chia versus a 2.8% fall on placebo. Body weight, body fat, inflammation and oxidative stress markers, blood pressure and blood lipids did not differ from placebo, and changes in EPA and DHA did not differ from placebo.

3
Milled vs Whole Chia in Overweight Women: 10-Week RCT
PubMed

Double-blind randomized trial of 25 g/day whole chia, milled chia or a poppy seed placebo for 10 weeks (Nieman et al. 2012, J Altern Complement Med).

62 overweight postmenopausal women aged 49 to 75; 56 completed (14 milled, 16 whole, 26 placebo).

Milled chia raised plasma ALA by 58% and EPA by 39%; whole chia did not change them significantly. Neither form changed body composition, blood pressure, arterial stiffness (augmentation index), inflammation markers or blood lipids compared with placebo.

4
Whole vs Ground Chia Baked Into Bread: Post-Meal Blood Sugar Test
PubMed

Randomized crossover dose-response test of 7, 15 or 24 g of whole or ground Salba chia baked into white bread against matched control breads, with blood sugar measured over 2 hours (Ho et al. 2013, Eur J Clin Nutr).

13 healthy adults (6 men, 7 women), each tested on nine occasions.

The blood sugar response fell as the chia dose rose, and whole and ground seed worked equally well. No adverse events were reported. These were single-meal tests, so they do not show what happens with regular use.

5
Chia Yogurt Snack and Lunch Intake: Crossover RCT
PubMed

Randomized crossover trial of a mid-morning yogurt with 0, 7 or 14 g of chia, followed by a self-serve lunch (Ayaz et al. 2017, Nutr Res Pract).

24 adults, in a study run at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey.

On the chia days, people reported less hunger, less desire for sugary foods and more fullness, and ate less at lunch. The effect was measured over a single morning; body weight was not studied.

6
Salba Chia With a Calorie-Reduced Diet in Type 2 Diabetes: 6-Month RCT
PubMed

Double-blind randomized trial of Salba chia (30 g per 1000 kcal per day) versus an oat bran control, both alongside a 6-month calorie-reduced diet (Vuksan et al. 2017, Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis).

77 overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 6.5 to 8.0%).

The chia group lost 1.9 kg versus 0.3 kg on control, with a larger drop in waist size (3.5 vs 1.1 cm) and in C-reactive protein, and a rise in adiponectin. The weight difference is small and came alongside a reduced-calorie diet; the 12-week placebo-controlled trial of chia without a diet found no weight change.

7
Chia and Blood Pressure, Weight and Blood Sugar: GRADE-Assessed Pooled Analysis of 8 RCTs
PubMed

Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published up to August 2023 (TaghipourSheshdeh et al. 2025, Nutr Rev).

Adults across 8 randomized trials.

Chia lowered systolic blood pressure by about 7.2 mmHg and diastolic by about 6.0 mmHg; in subgroups the systolic effect was significant in people starting below 140 mmHg and did not depend on dose. Body weight, body fat, waist, BMI, fasting glucose and HbA1c did not change. The authors caution that the data are few.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Choking and blockage of the esophagus: never eat chia seeds dry. They swell as they absorb liquid (up to 27 times their weight in water) and have blocked the esophagus badly enough to need endoscopy. Soak them until fully gelled, and take extra care if you have trouble swallowing or a narrowed esophagus.
Gas, bloating or changes in stool are possible when adding any high-fiber food; start with a small amount and drink enough fluid.
Two pooled analyses found a small drop in HDL cholesterol with chia; if you track your lipids, recheck them after a few months of regular use.
In a 12-week trial in people with type 2 diabetes, 37 g/day caused no change in liver, kidney or blood clotting tests.

Important Drug interactions

Blood pressure medicines: chia lowered blood pressure in small trials, including in people already on treatment, so the effects may add together; monitor your readings.
Diabetes medicines: chia lowered the blood sugar rise after meals in single-meal tests; check your blood sugar when you start eating large amounts.
Other oral medicines: no interaction studies exist, but as with other gel-forming fibers, taking medicines a couple of hours apart from a large serving of chia is a sensible precaution; your pharmacist can advise.

Standardized & branded forms of Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica)

Trademarked Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica) extracts with their own clinical trials and dedicated profiles. Most Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica) research is run on one of these standardized forms:

Cardiovascular
Salba® / Premium Chia (Salvia hispanica — AHD International)
Salba® / Premium Chia from AHD International is a branded chia seed ingredient (Salvia his…
Cardiovascular
Benexia® (Chia Seed, Salvia hispanica)
Benexia® is a chia (Salvia hispanica) seed ingredient, available as seeds, oil and powder.…

More Cardiovascular Ingredients

Cardiovascular
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats. EPA and DHA come from fish, krill and algae…
Cardiovascular
CoEnzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble compound the body makes for itself. It carries elect…
Cardiovascular
Beetroot
Beetroot is a vegetable rich in dietary nitrate, which the body converts into nitric oxide…
Cardiovascular
Potassium
Potassium is the main mineral inside the body's cells and an essential nutrient for the el…

Explore Other Ingredients

Metabolic Health
Chromium
Chromium is an essential trace mineral that plays a key role in regulating blood sugar by…
Metabolic Health
Fenugreek
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a seed used as a cooking spice and as a supplemen…
Metabolic Health
Inositol (Myo-Inositol)
Inositol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that acts as a secondary messenger in insu…

Frequently asked questions about Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica)

Should I eat chia whole or milled?

It depends on why you eat it. For omega-3, milled seed did better: in a 10-week trial, 25 g/day of milled chia raised blood ALA and EPA while the same amount of whole seed did not change them significantly. For the blood sugar rise after a meal, whole and ground seed baked into bread worked equally well.

How do I eat chia safely?

Soak it first. Stir the seeds into water, milk, yogurt or oatmeal and wait until they form a gel, or use milled seed in wet food. Do not swallow spoonfuls of dry seeds and wash them down: dry seeds can swell in the esophagus and have blocked it. People with swallowing problems should be especially careful.

Does chia help with weight loss?

Not on its own. A chia snack made people feel fuller and eat less at the next meal in a short study, but a 12-week trial of 50 g/day found no change in weight or body fat, and pooled analyses found no change in body weight or BMI. One 6-month trial in people with type 2 diabetes on a calorie-reduced diet found about 1.6 kg more weight loss than control.

How does chia compare with flaxseed?

They are similar seeds. Per 100 g, USDA lists about 17.8 g of ALA and 34.4 g of fiber for chia, and about 22.8 g of the same 18:3 type of fat and 27.3 g of fiber for flaxseed. In a single-meal test with a glucose drink, chia formed a much thicker gel than flax and lowered the blood sugar peak and appetite ratings somewhat more.

What is Chia Seed?

Chia is the small seed of Salvia hispanica, a plant native to southern Mexico and northern Guatemala. By weight, dried chia is about one third fiber and nearly one third fat, and close to 60% of that fat is the plant omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): roughly 4.5 g of ALA and 8.6 g of fiber in a 25 g serving.

What is Chia Seed used for?

Chia Seed is researched primarily for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health. Three pooled analyses of 8 to 10 small randomized trials found systolic pressure about 5.6 to 7.9 mmHg lower with chia, but one review rated most studies low quality and an earlier review of 12 trials rated the certainty low or very low.

What is the recommended dosage of Chia Seed?

The clinically studied dose is 25 to 50 g/day of whole or milled seed for 10 to 12 weeks; 35 to 40 g/day in the blood pressure trials; 7 to 25 g in single-meal tests. Milled seed raised blood omega-3 levels better. Soak the seeds or mix them into wet food; never eat them dry. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Chia Seed safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Chia Seed is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Choking and blockage of the esophagus: never eat chia seeds dry. They swell as they absorb liquid (up to 27 times their weight in water) and have blocked the esophagus badly enough to need endoscopy. It may also interact with some medications. Chia Seed is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Chia Seed interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Blood pressure medicines: chia lowered blood pressure in small trials, including in people already on treatment, so the effects may add together; monitor your readings. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Chia Seed?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Chia Seed as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 7 clinical trials and 16 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(16 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Vuksan V, Whitham D, Sievenpiper JL, Jenkins AL, Rogovik AL, Bazinet RP, Vidgen E, Hanna A. Supplementation of conventional therapy with the novel grain Salba (Salvia hispanica L.) improves major and emerging cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes: results of a randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care. 2007;30(11):2804-10. doi: 10.2337/dc07-1144.PubMedUsed to support: Single-blind randomized crossover trial in 20 adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes who kept their usual treatment: 37 g/day of Salba chia for 12 weeks, compared with wheat bran, lowered systolic blood pressure by about 6.3 mmHg and lowered hs-CRP and von Willebrand factor. Plasma ALA and EPA roughly doubled. Body weight and liver, kidney and blood clotting measures did not change.
  2. Vuksan V, Jenkins AL, Brissette C, Choleva L, Jovanovski E, Gibbs AL, Bazinet RP, Au-Yeung F, Zurbau A, Ho HV, Duvnjak L, Sievenpiper JL, Josse RG, Hanna A. Salba-chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in the treatment of overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2017;27(2):138-146. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2016.11.124.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind randomized trial in 77 overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, all on a 6-month calorie-reduced diet: those given Salba chia (30 g per 1000 kcal per day) lost 1.9 kg versus 0.3 kg on an oat bran control, with a larger drop in waist size (3.5 vs 1.1 cm) and in C-reactive protein. The weight difference is small and was seen only alongside a reduced-calorie diet.
  3. Nieman DC, Cayea EJ, Austin MD, Henson DA, McAnulty SR, Jin F. Chia seed does not promote weight loss or alter disease risk factors in overweight adults. Nutr Res. 2009;29(6):414-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2009.05.011.PubMedUsed to support: Single-blind placebo-controlled trial in 76 overweight adults (completers) taking 25 g of chia in water twice daily (50 g/day) for 12 weeks: plasma ALA rose 24.4% versus a 2.8% fall on placebo, but EPA, DHA, body weight and composition, inflammation, oxidative stress, blood pressure and blood lipids did not differ from placebo.
  4. Nieman DC, Gillitt N, Jin F, Henson DA, Kennerly K, Shanely RA, Ore B, Su M, Schwartz S. Chia seed supplementation and disease risk factors in overweight women: a metabolomics investigation. J Altern Complement Med. 2012;18(7):700-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2011.0443.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind 10-week trial in 56 overweight postmenopausal women (completers) given 25 g/day of whole chia, milled chia or a poppy seed placebo: plasma ALA rose 58% and EPA 39% with milled chia, while changes with whole chia and placebo were not significant. Body composition, inflammation, blood pressure, augmentation index and blood lipids did not differ from placebo with either form.
  5. Ho H, Lee AS, Jovanovski E, Jenkins AL, Desouza R, Vuksan V. Effect of whole and ground Salba seeds (Salvia Hispanica L.) on postprandial glycemia in healthy volunteers: a randomized controlled, dose-response trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013;67(7):786-8. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2013.103.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized crossover test in 13 healthy adults: 7, 15 or 24 g of whole or ground Salba chia baked into white bread lowered the 2-hour blood sugar response with increasing dose, and whole and ground seed worked equally well. Single-meal tests, not long-term use.
  6. Vuksan V, Choleva L, Jovanovski E, Jenkins AL, Au-Yeung F, Dias AG, Ho HV, Zurbau A, Duvnjak L. Comparison of flax (Linum usitatissimum) and Salba-chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds on postprandial glycemia and satiety in healthy individuals: a randomized, controlled, crossover study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2017;71(2):234-238. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.148.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized crossover study in 15 healthy young adults: 25 g of ground Salba chia or 31.5 g of flax taken with a 50 g glucose drink both lowered the 2-hour blood sugar response versus glucose alone. Chia gave a lower peak and lower appetite ratings than flax, and its drink was far more viscous in lab testing.
  7. Ayaz A, Akyol A, Inan-Eroglu E, Kabasakal Cetin A, Samur G, Akbiyik F. Chia seed (Salvia Hispanica L.) added yogurt reduces short-term food intake and increases satiety: randomised controlled trial. Nutr Res Pract. 2017;11(5):412-418. doi: 10.4162/nrp.2017.11.5.412.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized crossover study in 24 adults: a mid-morning yogurt with 7 or 14 g of chia lowered hunger and desire for sugary foods, raised fullness ratings and lowered energy intake at a self-serve lunch compared with plain yogurt. Short-term appetite only; body weight was not measured.
  8. Toscano LT, da Silva CS, Toscano LT, de Almeida AE, Santos Ada C, Silva AS. Chia flour supplementation reduces blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2014;69(4):392-8. doi: 10.1007/s11130-014-0452-7.PubMedUsed to support: Small 12-week trial in Brazilian adults with high blood pressure, treated or untreated (19 on chia, 7 on placebo): 35 g/day of chia flour lowered clinic and 24-hour systolic pressure, while the placebo group showed no change. 24-hour diastolic pressure did not change in either chia group. These are within-group changes in very small groups, and the placebo group included only people on blood pressure medicines.
  9. TaghipourSheshdeh F, Behzadi M, Bashiri S, Mohammadi-Sartang M. The Effect of Chia Seed on Blood Pressure, Body Composition, and Glycemic Control: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutr Rev. 2025;83(3):448-465. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae113.PubMedUsed to support: Pooled analysis of 8 randomized trials: chia lowered systolic blood pressure by about 7.2 mmHg and diastolic by about 6.0 mmHg, but had no significant effect on body weight, body fat, waist, BMI, fasting glucose or HbA1c. The authors note the small amount of data as a limitation.
  10. Saadh MJ, Abosaoda MK, Baldaniya L, Kalia R, Arya R, Mishra S, Chauhan AS, Kumar A, Alizadeh M. The Effects of Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica L.) Consumption on Blood Pressure and Body Composition in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Clin Ther. 2025;47(2):168-175. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2024.11.012.PubMedUsed to support: Pooled analysis of 8 randomized trials (372 adults): chia lowered systolic blood pressure by about 5.6 mmHg, diastolic by about 7.5 mmHg and waist size by about 1.5 cm, with no significant change in body weight or BMI. The authors call for more studies with more participants.
  11. Teoh SL, Lai NM, Vanichkulpitak P, Vuksan V, Ho H, Chaiyakunapruk N. Clinical evidence on dietary supplementation with chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2018;76(4):219-242. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nux071.PubMedUsed to support: Systematic review of 12 randomized trials: pooled results showed no significant differences except, in higher-dose subgroups, a lower post-meal blood sugar response, slightly lower HDL cholesterol and lower diastolic blood pressure. GRADE certainty was low or very low for every outcome, and all trials used only surrogate markers.
  12. Silva LA, Verneque BJF, Mota APL, Duarte CK. Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) consumption and lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Food Funct. 2021;12(19):8835-8849. doi: 10.1039/d1fo01287h.PubMedUsed to support: Pooled analysis of 10 randomized trials: the changes in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL all had confidence intervals crossing zero, so none was statistically significant. Chia raised blood PUFA, ALA and EPA and lowered DHA. The authors describe the effect as neutral or beneficial. Also notes chia's origin in southern Mexico and northern Guatemala.
  13. Pam P, El Sayed I, Asemani S, Jamilian P, Zarezadeh M, Ghoreishy Z. The effectiveness of chia seed in improving glycemic status: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2024;18(6):103065. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2024.103065.PubMedUsed to support: Pooled analysis of 8 randomized trials (362 participants): chia had no significant effect on fasting blood glucose, HbA1c or insulin. The authors note the small number of studies and high heterogeneity.
  14. Kiani S, Naghshi S, Saghafi-Asl M. Effects of chia (Salvia hispanica. L) on anthropometric measures and other cardiometabolic risk factors: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2024;86:103086. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103086.PubMedUsed to support: Dose-response pooled analysis of 10 publications: chia lowered systolic blood pressure (about 7.9 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (about 6.3 mmHg) and slightly lowered HDL cholesterol (about 4.1 mg/dL); effects on the other risk factors were not significant. The authors rated the quality of most included studies as low.
  15. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: Seeds, chia seeds, dried (SR Legacy, FDC ID 170554). USDA FoodData Central. 2019;SR Legacy food 12006..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; USDA nutrient database entry read via the FoodData Central API. Per 100 g of dried chia seed: 486 kcal, 16.5 g protein, 30.7 g fat, 17.8 g ALA (18:3 n-3), 34.4 g total dietary fiber, 631 mg calcium and 335 mg magnesium. The companion flaxseed entry (FDC ID 169414) lists 22.8 g of 18:3 fatty acids, 42.2 g fat and 27.3 g fiber per 100 g.
  16. American College of Gastroenterology. Watch It Grow: Esophageal Impaction With Chia Seeds (press release on a case presented by Rebecca Rawl, MD, MPH, at the ACG 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting). American College of Gastroenterology. 2014;Press release, October 14, 2014..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; ACG press release. Reports a case of the esophagus being blocked by chia seeds that were not expanded in liquid first, notes that the seeds can absorb up to 27 times their weight in water and can be hard to remove with standard endoscopy tools, and advises eating chia only after it has fully expanded in liquid, with extra caution for people with swallowing problems or a narrowed esophagus.