Chia seed has increasingly gained momentum in Thailand as part of the superfood health culture, especially during recent years. And this is one of the reasons why a large number of consumers are willing to pay a pretty penny for this whole-grain ingredient, according to anti-ageing specialist Dr Thidakarn Rujipattanakul.
"Chia seed is quite expensive, first, because of its rising demand and also because it has to be imported," said the doctor. In the market, one kilogramme of chia seed can cost up to 1,100 baht. If it's organic, then the price could rise to 1,200 to 1,500 baht per kilogramme.
According to Dr Thidakarn, chia seed is an ancient type of grain common in South America. Harvested from the Salvia hispanica plant, chia seed is universally categorised as a functional diet -- food which claims to have one or more health-promoting and/or disease-preventing components.
Chia seed, added the doctor, is reported to be loaded with several claimed health benefits. It is high in fibre, amino acids and antioxidant agents. It is one of the only few plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are mostly found in cold-water fish.
Thai consumers in particular recognise chia seed in their weight-control regimen. Given its hydrophilic properties meaning it can absorb more than 12 times its weight in liquid just like Thai sweet basil seed, those who want to lose weight believe it could be an effective approach as it would keep their stomach full longer than normal diets. Chia seed is also advertised as such especially in online market.
But according to Dr Thidakarn, the regular consumption of chia seed is in fact not a recommended mode of getting slim.
Coconut chia seed pudding with strawberries.
"Chia seed will not make you thin," she advised. "And there is no such thing as chia seed weight-loss formula as widely advertised. Of course it holds water and it's low-calorie but it won't make you eat less. And therefore it is not advisable for people who want to lose weight to eat nothing else but chia seed everyday because medically speaking, it is not suitable for everyone."
There are certain groups of people who should be extra cautious when they decide to opt for chia seed. First and most importantly, people with difficulty swallowing and those whose oesophagus does not function well such as the elderly should be extremely on the lookout. Due to chia seed's ability to hold lots of liquid and subsequently create a mucilaginous gel thereafter, it is somehow possible that the fully-absorbed chia seed could block the oesophagus.
"Some people eat it dry followed by a glass of water. Some of the seeds can get stuck in the oesophagus and when they absorb water, they become larger, obstructing the oesophagus. There have been reported cases just like this where doctors had to do something to clear it," said Dr Thidakarn.
"Soaking chia seeds in liquid at least three hours before eating them is the best way to play it safe," she added. "I usually soak them overnight."
The whole-grain food is also high in alpha-linolenic acid which is medically proven to increase the level of triglycerides, a type of fat found in blood. Too much triglycerides is likely to cause coronary artery disease. Alpha-linolenic acid is also found to be associated with increasing risk of prostate cancer.
"People diagnosed as having high levels of triglycerides and those with prostate cancer should think twice when it comes to consuming chia seed," said Dr Thidakarn, adding that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not treat it as a dietary supplement because there have yet any scientific studies to discuss side effects of chia seed among this group of consumers.
Due to its exorbitant price, many of the health-conscious find chia seed apparently unaffordable. But according to Dr Thidakarn, chia seed is not a dietary necessity. And therefore if they find the price too uneconomical, then they might also consider choosing other healthy alternatives.
"Some kinds of Thai local grains are also rich in fibre too, such as unpolished Job's tears but they just do not contain omega-3 fatty acids."
Chia seed can be prepared in many different ways, said Dr Thidakarn, but it is most commonly incorporated in breakfast menus. The seed can be soaked in yoghurt overnight and served with the morning meal. It can also be used as a bakery ingredient. Among the common menus are chia seed bread, cake and muffin.
But despite its claimed nutritional wonders, Dr Thidakarn suggested that it, just like other types of food, be consumed in moderation.
"You can eat chia seed but you also need to eat a wide variety of other foods too," she concluded. "Chia seed is a nutritionally healthy food. But it's not a magical food."
