Myth: Drinking two tablespoons of chia seeds in an eight-ounce glass of water with the juice from one-half of a lemon will immediately reduce your bloating and help you lose weight.
Truth: This is false.
The chia seed and lemon water drink will not provide you with an internal shower that cleanses you of fat or feelings of bloat. In fact, if you are not accustomed to eating a high-fiber diet the TikTok internal shower may make you even more bloated. It’s important to address the reasons for “feeling” or actually being bloated. The TikTok internal shower trend has limited efficacy for most people ━ especially because of the misunderstanding of the beverage as being some kind of miracle.
There is no magic behind the concoction that will induce significant or long-term weight loss. The idea of the TikTok internal shower is not necessarily harmful. The drink can be helpful for those who are either lacking fiber in their diet or do not drink enough fluids, but this drink does come with risks for some. Understanding why you “feel” or are bloated and why you may need to lose weight is important before trying any gimmick. Always consult with a healthcare professional and reputable sources before jumping on any supposed health-related bandwagon.
2 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds = 135 to 140 calories, 11 to 12 grams of carbohydrates (9 to 10 grams of fiber), 4 to 5 grams of protein, and 8 to 9 grams of fat.
References
Health Canada . Government of Canada. Published March 18, 2013. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/nutrient-data/nutrient-value-some-common-foods-2008.html.
Is the “internal shower” drink from TikTok safe? Poison Control. https://www.poison.org/articles/internal-shower#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Cinternal%20shower%E2%80%9D%20drink%20popularized,reported%20to%20help%20bowel%20function.
