Surgeon explains if eating chia seeds with yoghurt is even better than drinking chia seeds water: 'Protein from...'
Benefits of combining chia seeds with yoghurt
Furthermore, the combination improves nutrient absorption, such as omega-3 fatty acids, and increases satiety, helping with appetite regulation due to the fibre, protein, and fat content. Dr Rajan contrasted this with chia seeds consumed in water, which may lead to less diverse fermentation and potential gas.
In the video, he said, 'If you eat chia seeds with yoghurt rather than water, you get more benefits for your gut and microbiome. Yoghurt contains live bacterial cultures like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. Chia's soluble fibre and mucilage act as prebiotics, thus feeding these bacteria. When eaten together, you get this natural symbiotic effect. Probiotics in the yoghurt have a ready source of fermentable carbohydrates, which can improve short-chain fatty acid production. That is 'the good stuff', which is 'gold dust for your health.'
Dr Rajan went on to explain, 'The calcium, vitamin D, and fat in the yoghurt enhance the absorption of fat-soluble compounds in the chia, namely ALA omega-3 fatty acids. One of the biggest benefits of eating more fibre is appetite regulation. When you combine fibre from the chia seeds and protein and fat from the yoghurt, you get even more satiety signals and even more stimulation of natural fullness hormones like GLP-1, cholecystokinin, PYY, etc.. This means you feel fuller for longer compared to chia water. When you combine dairy proteins and peptides from the yoghurt with fibre in the chia seeds, you get a slower, more consistent fermentation of those compounds in the colon. This leads to a wider range of short-chain fatty acids, which are produced, such as butyrate and propionate.'
Chia seeds in yoghurt vs water
In contrast, he added, 'Chia seeds in water can gel and hydrate quickly, potentially leading to faster fermentation in the early parts of the colon, which could cause excessive gas production and a narrower range of short-chain fatty acids produced.'
He wrote in his caption, 'Yoghurt + chia... chia in yoghurt works 'better' than in water because the protein, fat, and probiotics in yoghurt slow how the seeds hydrate and release fibre. This delays fermentation to deeper in the colon, producing a gentler, more balanced SCFA profile (more butyrate/propionate), improves omega-3 absorption, and adds synergistic benefits from dairy's live cultures and bioactive peptides! That being said…do whatever you want because chia is great either way!'
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Gastroenterologist warns of ‘alarming liver failure stats' in people as young as 25; some may even need liver transplant
Gastroenterologist Dr Joseph Salhab took to Instagram on August 13 to highlight a concerning trend of increasing liver failure diagnoses in individuals between ages 25 and 35, a demographic typically not associated with such advanced liver disease. He urged proactive liver health management, including limiting toxin intake and regular check-ups, to prevent the progression of liver damage. Also read | Harvard and Stanford trained gastroenterologist reveals '3 worst beverages that can turn fatty liver into cirrhosis' The doctor highlights a concerning increase in liver failure among young adults aged 25 to 35, with a particular focus on alcohol-related liver disease.(Twitter/AHealthyBod) 'Get your liver checked at least once or twice a year' According to Dr Salhab, this shift is primarily attributed to alcohol consumption, which can lead to irreversible cirrhosis often requiring a liver transplant, a procedure complicated by the scarcity of donor organs. He said in the video of the post he titled, 'Alarming statistic – more liver failure in young adults': 'Liver doctors just got delivered an alarming statistic, which is that we're seeing more patients with liver failure in young adults aged 25 to 35.' He added, 'You would normally see liver disease and alcoholic cirrhosis in older adults. We're now seeing it much more often in younger adults. And once you reach the level of liver cirrhosis, it's almost impossible to reverse and most often needs a liver transplant. And livers are really hard to come by. You never want to let it get to that point. The most common culprit behind this is alcohol use. So, make sure you're taking care of your liver health. Make sure you're always watching what you intake. Avoid any toxins that can directly damage your liver. And make sure you get your liver checked at least once or twice a year.' One of the biggest drivers is alcohol abuse Dr Salhab wrote in his caption, 'Liver cirrhosis is showing up more in people as young as 25 to 35. One of the biggest drivers is alcohol abuse — but isn't the only contributing factor. Heavy drinking and binge drinking flood the liver with toxic byproducts like acetaldehyde, which directly damage liver cells and trigger inflammation. Over time, the liver tries to repair itself, but repeated injury leads to scar tissue replacing healthy cells. For many heavy drinkers, serious liver damage can develop in as little as 8–10 years of consistent abuse — sometimes faster if combined with poor nutrition or other health issues.' He added, 'Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, often linked to diet and lifestyle, is now one of the fastest-growing causes of cirrhosis in young adults. Diets high in ultra-processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats — and low in dietary fiber — promote fat buildup in the liver. Add in sedentary habits, obesity, high cholesterol, and rising rates of type 2 diabetes, and you've got the perfect storm for chronic liver injury. This slow burn of inflammation and scarring can progress quietly for years without symptoms until it's too late.' The doctor concluded, 'The scary part? Cirrhosis used to be a disease of middle age and beyond. Now, a mix of heavy alcohol use, poor diet, and metabolic disease is pushing it into younger and younger groups. Your liver has no pain nerves, so damage builds silently until it reaches a breaking point. By the time symptoms like jaundice, swelling, or confusion appear, the damage is often irreversible. The earlier you cut down alcohol, clean up your diet, and get active, the better chance you have of avoiding this entirely preventable disease.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
AIIMs trained gut doctor shares top 7 foods for high blood pressure, iron deficiency for vegetarians and non-vegetarians
In an August 12 Instagram post, Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, as well as Harvard and Stanford Universities, shared foods and drinks recommended for various health conditions – from beetroot for high blood pressure to oats for diabetes. While oats are a good option because they're high in fibre, which can help regulate blood sugar levels, beetroot is a great choice due to its high nitrate content. Also read | Beetroot juice can do wonders for your heart, liver and more Beetroot can be a helpful addition to a diet aimed at managing high blood pressure due to its high nitrate content. (Shutterstock) Foods that can help with various health conditions Dr Sethi also pointed to chamomile tea, which is known for its calming effects, for managing anxiety, and blueberries for depression as they are packed with antioxidants and may help improve mood. He also differentiated between red meat and lentils as he best sources of iron for anemia, catering to different dietary preferences, and concluded by recommending turmeric for back pain, highlighting its anti-inflammatory properties. Incorporating these foods into your diet can be a great way to support overall health and manage specific conditions. Best food to manage high BP, anxiety and more In the video he posted, Dr Sethi said: • The best food for high blood pressure is beetroot. • The best food for diabetes is oats. • The best food for anxiety is chamomile tea. • The best food for depression is blueberries. • The best food for iron deficiency anemia is red meat. • The best plant-based food for iron deficiency anemia is lentils. • The best food for back pain is turmeric. Dr Saurabh Sethi, MD, MPH is a board-certified gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and interventional endoscopist. He trained at AIIMS (India), earned his MPH from the University of Texas, and completed fellowships in gastroenterology and hepatology at Harvard and advanced endoscopy at Stanford. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Nutritionist shares 10 ‘good' foods to avoid for different diseases: ‘Avoid spinach, mushroom if you have…'
There are some foods like spinach, coconut water, chia seeds, beetroot, garlic, sweet potatoes, and spices like turmeric, ginger, and cloves that have gained popularity in ur kitchen because of their superfood qualities. They are packed with minerals and nutrients and have a world of health benefits. If you have gas issues, then do not eat raw salads. Instead, take sautéed or steamed vegetables. (Unsplash) Also Read | Cardiologist warns 'do not eat more than twice a day, cook in non-stick pans'; shares 5 ways to preserve heart health But, did you know that consuming these food items can also be harmful in certain situations? In an August 12 Instagram post, nutritionist Kiran Kukreja shared a list of 10 food items that are great for our health, but should be avoided if you have certain health diseases or conditions. '10 'good' foods you should avoid if you have…' Sharing the list of foods, the nutritionist said, 'Just because it's healthy doesn't mean it's healthy for you. Here are 10 'good' foods you might need to avoid for certain health conditions— and number 6 shocked me the most.' Here are the 10 foods which you should avoid consuming if you have certain health ailments: 1. If people have low blood pressure (BP), then avoid coconut water. 2. If you have kidney stones, then consuming high-oxalate foods like spinach and beetroot can increase the problem. 3. If you have high uric acid, then you should not consume mushrooms. 4. If you have hypothyroidism, then avoid soybean products. 5. If you have diarrhoea or loose motion, then you should not consume chia seeds. 6. If you have gas issues, then do not eat raw salads. Instead, take sautéed or steamed vegetables. 7. If you have acid reflux, you should avoid garlic and citrus foods. 8. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, avoid sweet potatoes and corn. 9. If you have mouth ulcers, you should avoid pineapple. 10. If you have acne issues, avoid heating spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger and fenugreek seeds. Why should you avoid coconut water if you have low BP? According to the Cleveland Clinic, if you are on blood pressure medication, it may be best to avoid coconut water as it could lower it too much. It's also recommended that you shouldn't drink coconut water two weeks before any surgery, as it can affect your blood pressure due to its high levels of potassium and mild diuretic properties. Since coconut water has natural blood pressure-lowering effects, it is often recommended in high blood pressure cases. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
