India, July 22 -- Chia seeds have gained popularity as an excellent source of fibre, which can improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels, promote intestinal health, boost gut health, and more. While the popular way of consuming them is soaking the seeds in water before consuming them, what if you could gain more benefits by blending them? Dr Karan Rajan, a National Health Service (the UK) surgeon and health content creator, took to Instagram recently to talk about why you should consider blending chia seeds before consuming them. "Whole chia seeds are great, if you have a very sensitive GI system, your gut might thank you for grinding them," he said, adding that grinding cracks the tough outer shell of chia seeds, making omega-3s, protein, and fibre more bioavailable. "Think of it as unlocking the vault for better nutrient absorption and easier digestion," he explained. When you blend chia seeds, you make chia flour. "If you blend chia seeds, it might be even better if you have a sensitive gut. When you grind them, you increase their surface area, allowing them to form a gel faster and more evenly than whole chia seeds," he added. The fibre content isn't affected at all. Whole chia seeds typically have inconsistent gelling, and most of their fermentation by your gut bacteria happens in the end part of the colon. If you have a sensitive gut, this could provoke spikes of gas and bloating. However, powdered chia would have a more controlled, even fermentation throughout the whole colon, not just the end part, which could potentially further reduce gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. HTC...