‘Internal Shower’ Viral TikTok Drink: Is it Good For You or Is It Damaging Your GI Tract?

In recent years, more attention has been drawn to chia seeds, with many believing that it's a cure-all. Recently a new internal shower TikTok trend has sparked medical experts to weigh in on chia seeds' supposed effects on your GI tract. Is it good for you, or does it do more harm?

Understanding the Internal Shower TikTok Trend

(Photo: Castorly Stock from Pexels)

A new trend emerged on TikTok known as Ïnternal shower" here; people add two tablespoons of chia seeds and a squeeze of lemon juice to a glass of water. After letting it sit for a few minutes, people drink the concoctions in one go as an effort to rid of constipation and move things along. Videos of this trend have already garnered more than 147 million views. Some recommend the pre-flight drink to prevent bloating, while others call it a constipation reliever shot.

Is there any truth to these claims with all the positive raves about the supposed miracle drink?

Although gastroenterologists don't regularly prescribe internal showers, there is some validity to the latest viral TikTok trend. The main culprit is fiber. Reena Chokshi, an assistant professor of gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine, explains that chia seeds are a high source of fiber which helps things along smoother, Health reports.

Fiber is a carbohydrate that the human body cannot digest, which makes it valuable in aiding digestion. The carbohydrate attracts water and turns it into a gel-like substance during digestion; this adds bulk to stool and helps it pass smoothly through the Gi tract. With one ounce of chia seeds containing roughly 10 grams of fiber.

Dr. Chokshi explains that when chia seeds with a large liquid load like a glass of water, it can propel your stomach to move.

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Is it Possible to Eat Too Much Chia Seeds?

Since chia seeds are high in fiber, eating too much at once tends to cause digestive discomfort. Dr. Rudolp Bedford, a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John's Health Centre, California, explains that if a person ingests too many chia seeds, it can cause bloating, diarrhea, and discomfort. This is why he recommends that people not exceed two tablespoons worth of chia seeds at any given time.

Chia seeds also swell up when in contact with water; it can be a choking hazard for some people, especially when ingested without water. In 2017 a case report showed a 36-year-old man that suffered severe difficulty swallowing after ingesting a tablespoon of dry chia seeds followed by a tall glass of water. Upon expanding, the seeds obstructed the man's esophagus.

Constipation is a common condition with numerous remedies. Eating fiber from various sources, not just chia seeds, drinking enough water, and exercising regularly are great ways to ensure your bowels move smoothly through your GI tract.

Although there is some truth to the internal shower TikTok trend, there are various ways for people to relieve constipation and GI tract motility.