India, Feb. 27 -- Chia seeds have earned their reputation as a modern-day superfood - tiny but densely packed with omega-3 fatty acids, plant-based protein and fibre. From puddings to smoothies, they have taken over social media feeds, with health experts frequently praising their benefits. Most of us know they should be soaked before consumption to unlock their gel-like texture and digestive advantages. But is that enough? Does the form in which you consume them - whole or ground - make a difference to how well your body absorbs their nutrients?

Deepsikha Jain, a nutritionist with a Master's degree in Global Public Health Nutrition from the UK and a certified national diabetes educator, is unpacking the differences between whole and gro...