Why Chia Seeds May Be Dangerous If You’re on Blood Thinners

Chia seeds are among the most nutritious foods, packed with nutrients like fibre and omega-3s, that boost your heart and overall health. However, these can pose grave health risks, which can even be life-threatening

if not consumed carefully. Doctors recommend not taking chia seeds if you are a heart patient and are on blood thinners. According to experts, consuming chia seeds regularly, or in large amounts, increases the risk of bleeding and other complications.

How do blood thinners work?

Blood-thinning medicines, which include commonly prescribed anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, are used for preventing dangerous blood clots that can cause heart attacks, strokes, or pulmonary embolism. These medications slow down the blood’s ability to clot to save your life, but it also means that you need to be extremely cautious about foods and supplements that can further thin the blood. There are various compounds in chia seeds, like soluble fibre, which can influence how the thinning medications get absorbed in your body.

Blood-thinning effects of chia seeds

A major reason why chia seeds can be risky is due to the high omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3s have natural blood-thinning properties, which help lower platelet aggregation - the process that helps blood clot after an injury. If you take chia seeds along with blood thinners that are prescribed by your doctor, the combined effect can lead to excessively slow clotting. This interaction raises a significant risk of:

• Easy bruising
• Nosebleeds
• Bleeding gums
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Internal bleeding in a few cases

While omega-3s are generally beneficial for your heart health, more is not always better, especially when you are already taking medicines for the same job.

Also read: Chia Seeds Can Turn Dangerous If You Miss This One Crucial Step!

Too much fibre halts medicine absorption

Doctors say chia seeds, which are also a powerhouse of soluble fibre, can interfere with how your thinning medicine gets absorbed. A tablespoon of chia absorbs many times its weight in water and forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. If your medicine does not get absorbed properly, its effectiveness can fluctuate in a big way – throwing off balance and spiking the risk of side effects, which include complications of blood clotting.

Interference with blood pressure

Studies indicate that chia seeds are instrumental in lowering blood pressure levels. However, the soluble fibre in the seeds can slow the absorption of certain drugs, including hypertension medicines, potentially reducing their availability and effect. You may consider separating your chia seeds and blood pressure medications by a few hours.

Should you completely avoid chia seeds?

While doctors say it is not necessary to completely stop taking chia seeds, you need to maintain strict caution. Occasional amounts may be safe for some people, but only under medical guidance. Factors like the type of blood thinner, dosage, overall diet, and personal bleeding risk all matter, and so, always consult with your doctor before taking the step. You can also reduce the phytic acid content by purchasing sprouted chia seeds or soaking chia seeds before eating them.