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Chia Seeds Lemon Water: 7 Health Benefits & Ways To Enjoy
![Chia Seeds Lemon Water](https://www.healthcanal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chia-Seeds-Lemon-Water-HC-Cover.jpg)
Combining chia seeds and lemon water and consuming it regularly is one of the healthiest habits you can build for yourself. The combination of vitamins, minerals, soluble fiber, and electrolytes found in chia seed lemon water covers many health bases, from hydration to antioxidants.
This mixture could either be a lemon water drink with chia seeds to drink or a lemon water chia seed pudding of gelatinous chia seeds infused with electrolytes and vitamin C. This article will cover some of the nutritional benefits of chia seed lemon water, as well as different recipes to try.
Health Benefits Of Chia Seeds With Lemon Water
Lemon water has many health benefits. The same is true for chia seeds. When mixed together, we combine and enhance these wonderful benefits:
- Improves immunity.
- Assists in weight loss.
- Increases hydration.
- Supports the liver.
- Balances the body’s pH.
- Encourages better digestion.
- Offers many nutrients.
7 Health Benefits Of Chia Seeds Lemon Water
![Chia Seeds Lemon Water](https://www.healthcanal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cs-lemon-water-hc-1-img-1.jpg)
Let’s break down seven health benefits you can obtain from consuming chia seed lemon water.
Improves Immunity
Lemons are loaded with vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, well known for enhancing and protecting immunity[1]. It does this in a number of ways. Firstly, it neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. It also plays a role in the production and function of immune cells.
Vitamin C may also play a role in collagen synthesis[2]. Collagen helps maintain the internal barriers that protect against pathogens. Additionally, vitamin C helps the body absorb iron better (many iron supplements contain vitamin C), and iron[3] is also important for immune function.
For additional information on immune-supporting supplements, review the best green powders and read up on the Rheal superfoods review.
Assists In Weight Loss
Chia seed lemon water is one of the best morning drinks to help you lose weight. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, a nutrient that increases satiety, helps to reduce cravings and snacking, and helps balance blood sugar[4]. That’s why chia seeds are a common food used for weight loss.
What about lemon water? Does lemon water help you lose weight? Drinking it alone may not be enough to initiate significant weight loss, but including it in a low-calorie, nutritious diet can help boost weight loss efforts.
Increases Hydration
Lemon juice contains electrolytes. When you add a pinch of sea salt, you can increase the electrolyte content. This is essential to stay adequately hydrated and balance fluids in the body.
When chia seeds are soaked in lemon water, they absorb much of the liquid, including some of the electrolytes, expanding into a gel-like consistency. This means you can obtain some electrolytes from eating the chia seed gel or drinking the lemon water.
Supports The Liver
The liver is a major detox organ, and lemons have many beneficial properties that support the liver[5]. The d-limonene and citric acid in lemons can help aid the detoxification process by helping to produce liver enzymes that break down various toxins from food, medications, beauty products, alcohol, and pollution.
Furthermore, lemon juice can stimulate bile[6] production. Bile, which is produced by the liver, is crucial in the digestive process, particularly its role in breaking down fat. Bile is needed not only for fat absorption, but for waste elimination.
Balances The Body’s pH
Having balanced pH[7] (potential hydrogen) levels is important for cellular health, bone health, digestion, immunity, and overall bodily functioning. Lemons can help balance the body’s pH levels. Despite being acidic, the minerals in lemons, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, are alkaline, which can bring internal balance.
Lemons can also influence the pH of urine, making it more alkaline. This can be particularly helpful for anyone with urinary tract issues. For example, drinking lemon water regularly can help prevent kidney stones from forming.
Encourages Better Digestion
The digestive system can suffer when there is chronic constipation. A common home remedy for alleviating constipation is drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning. The citric acid in lemons can stimulate digestive function and motility, encouraging a bowel movement.
Adding chia seeds can aid in better digestion as well. The fiber[8] in chia seeds helps regulate the bowels. Soaked chia seeds, particularly, can have a soothing effect inside the gastrointestinal tract. Together, chia seeds and lemon water can be helpful in improving digestion.
Offers Many Nutrients
Chia seeds contain all three macronutrients: protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. They also contain a good amount of fiber, as well as a host of vitamins and minerals. Similarly, fresh lemon juice contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which work together to boost overall health.
Furthermore, when chia seeds are soaked in water, their outer shell breaks down, making their nutrients more bioavailable.
Why Soak Chia Seeds in Lemon Water?
Soaking chia seeds in lemon water is an easy method to enhance the nutritional benefits of chia seeds. One of these benefits is better nutrient absorption–when chia seeds are soaked in liquid, their outer shell breaks down, making their nutrients more bioavailable.
Another reason to soak the seeds is for better digestion. Lemon water can help alleviate constipation, as can chia seeds, so consuming them together can help get the bowels moving. Lemon water is also an excellent source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, which can boost immunity.
All in all, soaking chia seeds in lemon water could make a significant, beneficial impact on overall well-being.
When & How Often Should You Drink It?
You can enjoy lemon chia seed water any time of day, but some people find it particularly easy and beneficial first thing in the morning. It’s safe to enjoy chia seed lemon water daily, as long as you’re not consuming excess amounts.
Start with small amounts every few days, and build up until you can drink chia seed water every day. Increase the chia seeds, as tolerated, but not to exceed more than two tablespoons a day.
Pay attention to how your body feels. Both lemon water and chia seeds alone can stimulate digestion, so the combination may get things moving too quickly for certain people.
Lemon Water Chia Seeds Recipes
![Chia Seeds Lemon Water](https://www.healthcanal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cs-lemon-water-hc-2-img-1.jpg)
The foundation of lemon water chia seeds is water, lemon, and chia seeds, but there are many ways to add more flavor and change the texture to make a chia seed pudding or a refreshing lemony drink.
Raspberry-Lemon Water
In one full glass of filtered water, add a big squeeze of lemon (or a few lemon slices) and a handful of raspberries (note, you can swap out raspberries for other berries, if you prefer). Add a tablespoon of chia seeds and let soak until the gel forms. Add a drop of maple syrup and enjoy!
Cucumber-Lemon Water
In one full glass of filtered water, add a big squeeze of lemon (or a few lemon slices) and three or four slices of cucumber. Add a tablespoon of chia seeds and let soak until the gel forms. Add a pinch of sea salt and enjoy!
Aloe Vera-Lemon Water
In one full glass of filtered water, add some lemon juice (or a few lemon slices) and a handful of cubes of aloe vera. You can also add a splash of aloe vera juice instead. Add a tablespoon of chia seeds and let soak until the gel forms. Enjoy!
How Long Do Chia Seeds Lemon Water Last?
It’s best to consume chia seed lemon water shortly after preparing it. More specifically, you should drink the water/eat the seeds within a few hours of mixing the chia seeds into the water. If you don’t plan to consume it right away, you can store the mixture in the refrigerator for a few days.
The longer the chia seeds sit in the water, the more liquid they will absorb. This will change the texture. Experiment to see what texture is enjoyable for you, and this will also help you determine how long to wait before consuming them.
Conclusion
Chia seed lemon water is an excellent morning drink to bring into your daily routine. The chia seeds soak up the nutrients and hydration from the lemon water while providing dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients.
Lemons have numerous health benefits, including weight loss assistance, boosted immunity, and improved digestion, so adding a squeeze of lemon juice to your water helps enhance overall health. When mixing chia seeds into lemon water, always start with small amounts to gauge your tolerance, then work your way up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is safe to consume lemon chia water daily.
Anyone with a seed or lemon allergy should avoid this mixture or anyone taking blood thinning medications. Chia seeds are dry, tiny seeds, so they can also pose a choking hazard for some if they are not soaked well.
Lime has slightly different nutritional properties than lemon, but it is similar enough that, if you prefer limes to lemons, you can use limes instead. Some people may also like a splash of apple cider vinegar as another option.
+ 8 sources
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- Miles, E.A. and Calder, P.C. (2021). Effects of Citrus Fruit Juices and Their Bioactive Components on Inflammation and Immunity: A Narrative Review. [online] 12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.712608.
- Dana Marie Lis and Baar, K. (2019). Effects of Different Vitamin C-Enriched Collagen Derivatives on Collagen Synthesis. [online] 29(5), pp.526–531. doi:https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0385.
- Manfred Nairz and Weiss, G. (2020). Iron in infection and immunity. [online] 75, pp.100864–100864. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mam.2020.100864.
- CDC (2022). Fiber: The Carb That Helps You Manage Diabetes . [online] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/role-of-fiber.html#:~:text=Health%20Benefits%20of%20Fiber&text=Specifically%2C%20fiber%20can%20help%3A,sugar%20in%20your%20target%20range.
- Zhou, T., Zhang, Y., Xu, D., Wang, F., Zhou, Y., Zheng, J., Li, Y., Zhang, J. and Li, H. (2017). Protective Effects of Lemon Juice on Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice. [online] 2017, pp.1–8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7463571.
- Medlineplus.gov. (2021). Bile: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002237.htm [Accessed 8 Jul. 2023].
- Wataru Aoi and Yoshinori Marunaka (2014). Importance of pH Homeostasis in Metabolic Health and Diseases: Crucial Role of Membrane Proton Transport. [online] 2014, pp.1–8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/598986.
- Bellini, M., Tonarelli, S., Barracca, F., Rettura, F., Pancetti, A., Ceccarelli, L., Ricchiuti, A., Costa, F., Nicola de Bortoli, Marchi, S. and Rossi, A. (2021). Chronic Constipation: Is a Nutritional Approach Reasonable? [online] 13(10), pp.3386–3386. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103386.