Is chia seed the miracle drink for a flat stomach?

There is a trend that I see a lot on TikTok. Namely chia seed water for a flatter stomach. Some people swear by it, but does it really work? There is only one way to find out. We will put it to the test.

Chia seeds are small edible seeds from the chia plant, a herbaceous plant that originally comes from Central America. The seed has a long history and was already used by the Aztecs and Mayans as an important food source due to its high nutritional value. It is also called a superfood because of the many health benefits that this small seed offers. In smoothies, it has long been a popular ingredient. But the latest trend: that is chia seed water.

Chia seed wonder drink TikTok
On TikTok, glasses of water, chia seeds, and lemon juice are flying around. The reason: it is said to be the wonder drink for a flat stomach. Chia seeds are very high in fiber; about 34% of the seed consists of fiber. According to Maartje Boot from the Nutrition Center, drinking water is good for you and getting more fiber is too. She tells Radar: “Chia seeds contain a lot of fiber, but it’s not that you will get a flat stomach from it. Working on your health can of course be done in many different ways, that is different for everyone. This drink doesn’t have to be part of that, but it won’t do much harm if you want to try it.”

Mistakes to avoid when drinking chia seeds
And that is exactly what we are going to do. Colleague Lysanne has been drinking glasses of chia seeds for three weeks. What are her findings so far? Is it easy? What can go wrong? And: does it really work? Lysanne: “Many people just start and don’t take into account building up the amount of chia seeds. That is really a common mistake. Also important – and this is where it often goes wrong – is that you don’t let it soak long enough before you drink it. The seeds absorb 10 times their own weight in water, if that still has to happen in your stomach, you can have quite a bit of trouble.”

A flatter stomach through chia seed water
“Does it work? I definitely have significantly less appetite during the day after drinking a glass of chia seeds in the morning. The seeds, no matter how small, take up space in your stomach and you immediately get a lot of nutrients. Omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, proteins, fibers, vitamins B1, B2, and B3. So I have lost weight because I have less appetite and therefore snack less. Is it a miracle cure? No, that’s a bit far-fetched. As with everything, it also applies here: if you really want a flatter stomach, you will also have to exercise and pay attention to your diet. I don’t have any trouble with a bloated stomach anymore, so I happily continue with my glass of chia seeds in the morning.”

Conclusion
Chia seed water is not a magical miracle cure, if only life were that simple, but it can certainly contribute to a feeling of fullness and thus help keep your appetite in check. Whether you actually lose weight depends on your entire lifestyle. Exercising, eating a varied diet, and getting enough sleep are still the basics for a healthy body. So if you like to start your day with a glass of water full of chia seeds and lemon, go ahead. But don’t expect miracles, and remember that there are no shortcuts to a flat stomach—there’s just a bit more required than a trendy drink from TikTok.