India, July 4 -- From smoothies to puddings, chia seeds have become a staple in health-conscious diets. But if you're eating them dry, you could be putting your digestive health at risk. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford universities, shared in his July 3 Instagram post that chia seeds absorb many times their weight in liquid.

This means that if consumed dry, they can expand in your throat or stomach, potentially causing discomfort, bloating, or even digestive blockages. (Also read: Gastroenterologist shares how modern work culture fuels silent liver crisis: 'Even those with normal weight are at risk' )

Dr Seth explains in the post, "People have ended up in the hospital after eating dry chia...