If we eat chia seeds, it can be dangerous for other plants.

Just a few years ago in chia seeds they were an unknown food in Europe. However, all of a sudden they were advertised as superfoods, and hundreds of influencers added them to their breakfasts, prompting more people to buy them. The problem is that the residue that remains on the dishes ends up in the sink, from there into the wastewater and, after that, to the environmentwhere the plant that grew from them became invasive plant in many regions.

In Spain, for example, attention has been drawn to this issue for many years from the Vallès Oriental region, where chia (Sage) has become a serious problem in Basin of the Besos River. It is not yet in the catalog of invasive species of the Spanish government, so some scientists are paying attention to it. This plant usually grows in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Paraguay, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Outside these countries, it can become an invasive species, displacing true native species, competing with them for their resources.

This is a prime example of what healthy eating does not mean. eat more sustainably. We tend to confuse the two, but there are many reasons why we can’t treat them as synonyms.

Why are chia seeds in vogue?

Chia seeds have a very complete nutritional profile. For a start they are great. fiber source, since just 28 grams contains 42% of the recommended daily allowance of fiber. But they are also very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. All this on top of what they have antioxidant propertiesYes, they have turned them into what is known as a superfood.

However, as we have seen elsewhere in this environment, there are no products with superpowers. They can be very nutritious, but they do not work miracles and, in addition, they may have contraindications if they are abused. In the case of chia seeds, for example, if you take too much, they can cause digestive problems such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating and gas.

In addition, it is important to consider the consumption of drugs before ingestion, as some may interfere with them. For example, because they lower blood sugar, they may interfere with some diabetic drugswhich makes these levels too low.

Something similar happens with anticoagulants. It has been observed that they can have this effect. For this reason, people taking medications such as Sintrom should avoid taking them, as the effects can accumulate, leading to bleeding.

But side effects at high doses aren’t the only problem with chia seeds. They can also become invasive plant.

Joanna Kosinska (Unsplash)

What is an invasive plant?

Invasive plants are those that, once introduced outside their natural habitat, are able to adapt and thrive even more efficiently than native ones. This introduction can awareas is the case with many ornamental plants, or random. The latter, for example, may occur if seeds are transported in vehicles along with any other commodity. Or, as in the case of chia seeds, when we throw them in the middle of the house without even knowing it.

If they were cooked, the heat would take away ability of seeds to germinate. However, chia seeds are usually eaten raw. Therefore, if there are leftovers of something light on the plate, given its small size, they go down the drain during cleaning and may enter the environment. In Valles, for example, its accumulation in the Besos River has caused a rapid spread of a plant that grows very efficiently and can crowd out native plants. But what do we mean when we talk about the displacement of some plants by others?

This is something complex that can happen in different ways, but generally refers to competition for resourcesWith. For example, they may compete for pollinating insects or for water and nutrients in the soil. It is even possible that they change the properties of the area, further contributing to their reproduction, but preventing the reproduction of other plant species.

Healthy eating is not the same as sustainable eating

The possibility of chia seeds turning into invasive plants is not the only reason why they are not stable.

It is also important to note that these plants are grown thousands of miles from where they are eaten. If the seeds should come from Paraguay, they will leave carbon footprint huge. Therefore, it is always advisable to eat local products.

It’s perfect. If this cannot be, then let’s at least prevent this product from entering the environment, as it happens with raw seeds. Yes, they are useful, but making them a staple of our diet is not good for native plants at all.