Why you DON’T actually need an ‘internal shower’ to ease constipation: Nutritionists debunk latest TikTok trend about a lemon cleanse
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Ah, TikTok – the melting pot of various trends across the globe. Despite how helpful it has been with its endless supply of tips on cleaning, cooking, and plenty more, not every lesson you pick up from the popular social media platform is advisable.
According to several nutritionists, TikTok’s latest health trend, also referred to as an ‘internal shower’, may cause you more harm than good.
TV producer and writer Jac Vanek racked up a whopping total of 5.5 million views on her TikTok video as she gave the hack a shot.
But she wasn’t the first to make the rounds online as several users have posted clips of themselves chugging a glass of the lemon-infused water and two tablespoons of chia seeds.
The drink claims to cleanse the body, acting as a natural laxative. And because of how massive the trend is, hundreds of thousands were led to believe that doing so would be beneficial.
Jac participated in the trend. Image Credit: @jacvanek
“As someone with really bad stomach issues, I appreciate this so much. I have trouble going on a regular basis. I’m excited to try!” gushed one user.
“Okay, I will do this first thing in the morning tomorrow. I’m super [excited] to do number 2 before I leave the house! Thank you!” exclaimed another.
“I am doing it right now! I will let you know if it works.” added one more.
However, dietary experts warned that the ‘hack’ could lead to bloating and discomfort if it’s consumed too quickly. Others vouched for the efficacy but added that it could also potentially cause a bowel obstruction which is considered a medical emergency.
They suggested a better alternative would be to load up on fibre from a variety of plant-based foods instead if you’re looking to ease constipation.
Two tablespoons of chia seeds have around 10 grams of fibre, equivalent to half a tin of baked beans and around a third of the daily recommended intake. Fibre is vital for the bowel to function properly. It softens stool and bulks it up, making it easier to pass.
NHS surgeon Dr Karan Rajan hailed the drink as 'more of an internal drain cleaner than an internal shower'.
He described it as 'probably one of the first TikTok trends that actually work and won't kill you' but alerted others that the drink is similar to downing 'frog spawn'.
Lemon is only added to improve the taste as the main benefits come from the chia seeds alone.
WebMD states: “Chia seeds contain an antioxidant that can reduce your risk of developing several health conditions, including heart disease. The seeds are also high in fibre, which can help to lower high blood pressure,”
Chia seeds in water. Image Credit: Purewow
Aside from that, chia seeds have also been linked to strengthening bones and reducing the risk of diabetes. They usually cost $1.50 for 150 grams. They absorb water quickly and double in size when left in liquid.
Chia seeds also form a gel-like texture, which makes them easy to swallow and digest.
For this reason along with their nutritional value, people opt to add them to their smoothies, porridge, and yoghurt.
The problem is that chia seeds are still considered a 'novel food' in the UK and Europe, meaning they have not been widely consumed so studies on their health benefits are limited.
Professor Tom Sanders, a diet expert at King's College London said: “I would not be surprised if they exacerbated irritable bowel syndrome.”
On the other hand, Dr Ian Johnson, a nutrition expert at the Quadram Institute Bioscience in Norwich, claimed that chia seeds’ ‘high fibre content’ could make them a 'useful occasional dietary item'.
But he added: “As with any unusual dietary component, I doubt whether consuming high doses in a single meal is a very good idea,”
“Some unconventional sources of dietary fibre consumed in this way have been known to cause intestinal obstruction,”. However, he insisted that there is no proof this is true for chia seeds.
Intestinal obstruction happens when food is unable to pass through the bowel because it becomes blocked. This can result in dehydration or a hole in the bowel, causing its contents to leak into the abdomen. It may also lead to aspiration or when the stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs. Yikes!
People opt to add chia seeds to their porridge. Image Credit: Archana’s Kitchen
Dr Carmen Piernas, a researcher and scientist at the University of Oxford, revealed that fibre should come from a 'variety of sources throughout the day, every day'.
She detailed: “Drinking this once a day would probably contribute to dietary fibre and should help gut health,”
“But it's more important to consider the rest of the diet. Try to follow a healthy plant-based dietary pattern that would contribute to reaching the daily fibre recommendation instead of downing a single dose with large amounts of fibre for which we don't know the risks as of yet,”
Dr Duane Mellor, a dietitian at Aston Medical School in Birmingham, also shared his take on the concoction, saying that it’s a good source of fibre.
But he added that it 'could lead to bloating and discomfort' if not consumed with enough water.
He recommended the seeds should be 'consumed with plenty of fluid and ideally mixed into salads, bread, or added to porridge rather than consumed with water'.
What are your thoughts on this viral trend? Share them with us in the comments!
Watch Jac’s full TikTok video below:
Video Credit: @jacvanek
According to several nutritionists, TikTok’s latest health trend, also referred to as an ‘internal shower’, may cause you more harm than good.
TV producer and writer Jac Vanek racked up a whopping total of 5.5 million views on her TikTok video as she gave the hack a shot.
But she wasn’t the first to make the rounds online as several users have posted clips of themselves chugging a glass of the lemon-infused water and two tablespoons of chia seeds.
The drink claims to cleanse the body, acting as a natural laxative. And because of how massive the trend is, hundreds of thousands were led to believe that doing so would be beneficial.
Jac participated in the trend. Image Credit: @jacvanek
“As someone with really bad stomach issues, I appreciate this so much. I have trouble going on a regular basis. I’m excited to try!” gushed one user.
“Okay, I will do this first thing in the morning tomorrow. I’m super [excited] to do number 2 before I leave the house! Thank you!” exclaimed another.
“I am doing it right now! I will let you know if it works.” added one more.
However, dietary experts warned that the ‘hack’ could lead to bloating and discomfort if it’s consumed too quickly. Others vouched for the efficacy but added that it could also potentially cause a bowel obstruction which is considered a medical emergency.
They suggested a better alternative would be to load up on fibre from a variety of plant-based foods instead if you’re looking to ease constipation.
Two tablespoons of chia seeds have around 10 grams of fibre, equivalent to half a tin of baked beans and around a third of the daily recommended intake. Fibre is vital for the bowel to function properly. It softens stool and bulks it up, making it easier to pass.
NHS surgeon Dr Karan Rajan hailed the drink as 'more of an internal drain cleaner than an internal shower'.
He described it as 'probably one of the first TikTok trends that actually work and won't kill you' but alerted others that the drink is similar to downing 'frog spawn'.
Lemon is only added to improve the taste as the main benefits come from the chia seeds alone.
WebMD states: “Chia seeds contain an antioxidant that can reduce your risk of developing several health conditions, including heart disease. The seeds are also high in fibre, which can help to lower high blood pressure,”
Chia seeds in water. Image Credit: Purewow
Aside from that, chia seeds have also been linked to strengthening bones and reducing the risk of diabetes. They usually cost $1.50 for 150 grams. They absorb water quickly and double in size when left in liquid.
Chia seeds also form a gel-like texture, which makes them easy to swallow and digest.
For this reason along with their nutritional value, people opt to add them to their smoothies, porridge, and yoghurt.
The problem is that chia seeds are still considered a 'novel food' in the UK and Europe, meaning they have not been widely consumed so studies on their health benefits are limited.
Professor Tom Sanders, a diet expert at King's College London said: “I would not be surprised if they exacerbated irritable bowel syndrome.”
On the other hand, Dr Ian Johnson, a nutrition expert at the Quadram Institute Bioscience in Norwich, claimed that chia seeds’ ‘high fibre content’ could make them a 'useful occasional dietary item'.
But he added: “As with any unusual dietary component, I doubt whether consuming high doses in a single meal is a very good idea,”
“Some unconventional sources of dietary fibre consumed in this way have been known to cause intestinal obstruction,”. However, he insisted that there is no proof this is true for chia seeds.
Intestinal obstruction happens when food is unable to pass through the bowel because it becomes blocked. This can result in dehydration or a hole in the bowel, causing its contents to leak into the abdomen. It may also lead to aspiration or when the stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs. Yikes!
People opt to add chia seeds to their porridge. Image Credit: Archana’s Kitchen
Dr Carmen Piernas, a researcher and scientist at the University of Oxford, revealed that fibre should come from a 'variety of sources throughout the day, every day'.
She detailed: “Drinking this once a day would probably contribute to dietary fibre and should help gut health,”
“But it's more important to consider the rest of the diet. Try to follow a healthy plant-based dietary pattern that would contribute to reaching the daily fibre recommendation instead of downing a single dose with large amounts of fibre for which we don't know the risks as of yet,”
Dr Duane Mellor, a dietitian at Aston Medical School in Birmingham, also shared his take on the concoction, saying that it’s a good source of fibre.
But he added that it 'could lead to bloating and discomfort' if not consumed with enough water.
He recommended the seeds should be 'consumed with plenty of fluid and ideally mixed into salads, bread, or added to porridge rather than consumed with water'.
What are your thoughts on this viral trend? Share them with us in the comments!
Watch Jac’s full TikTok video below:
Video Credit: @jacvanek
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