Chia Seed Water

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Incorporate chia seed water into your routine, and you’ll be feeling as good as ever! Not only are there a lot of health benefits tied to it, but it’ll make drinking your daily water a bit more exciting again.

A mason jar of chia seed water

The Many Benefits of Chia Seed Water

I often talk about the benefits of chia seeds, and how they can easily be integrated into your every day routine. From chia seed pudding to snackable energy balls, these little seeds are a sneaky way to give your meals (and drinks) a healthy boost. And yes, that includes a regular glass of water! This is a recipe I always keep in mind when I’m traveling. But it’s also a good reminder to toss in some chia seeds and lemon to your daily water intake. Here’s a few reasons why this combo is so good.

  • It’s great for digestion. Not only are chia seeds loaded with fiber, but lemon is an acidic ingredient that helps to break down food as well. Which makes this a mighty combo when it comes to a healthy bowel system and easy digestion.
  • It helps to keep you nicely satiated. Chia seeds are a great source of healthy fats, which will keep you subtly full in between meals.
  • Keeps you happily hydrated. Most importantly, this will help to keep you hydrated with how refreshing it is thanks to the fresh squeeze of lemon juice! But keep reading to see the many ways you can flavor chia seed water – in a healthy way.
Ingredients for chia seed water on a table

What’s In Chia Seed Water?

All you really need for this recipe are chia seeds, water, and fresh lemon juice. I love these chia seeds, but any brand will work.

Looking to add more flavor to chia seed water? You can mix in chia seeds with any of these agua fresca recipes for a refreshing, fruity, and hydrating drink! Alternatively, you can add slices of fresh fruits and veggies (such as oranges, strawberries, or cucumbers) to make fruit infused waters.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Juicing lemon with a metal juicer.

How To Make Chia Seed Water

To make sure I’m well equipped with water for the day, I’m using a 32oz (quart) sized mason jar. This is the perfect size that leaves a little bit of space for shaking up the chia seeds. But you can use any cup or jar, and give it a stir with a spoon or straw. Here’s how to make it.

  • Make lemon juice. Juice half of the lemon (about 1 ½ tablespoons of juice) and slice the other half.
  • Mix everything up. In a jar or cup, mix the water, chia seeds, lemon juice, and lemon slices. Then let it sit for 15 minutes to allow the seeds to gel and plump up.

Side note – you’ll notice that the seeds will separate to the top and bottom. But don’t worry, as you give them time to gel up, they will slowly all start to float together. Just make sure to give it a good shake or stir before drinking.

How Long Does Chia Seed Water Last?

It’s easy to make chia seed water on the spot. But if you want to do a little prep work, it can be refrigerated for up to 5 days in a sealed container. Just give it a shake or stir before drinking.

Holding a jar of lemon chia seed water.

More Ways To Use Chia Seeds

A bag of chia seeds goes a long way in so many recipes. Here’s just a few ideas on how to get creative with them.

It’s time to hop on the chia seed water bandwagon! Once you make it, let me know what you think in a comment below.

A mason jar of chia seed water

Chia Seed Water

5 from 19 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Add this chia seed water into your routine, and you'll be feeling as good as ever with its many health benefits and refreshing flavor!

Ingredients 
 

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 lemon

Instructions 

  • Juice half of the lemon (about 1 ½ tablespoons of juice) and slice the other half.
    Half a lemon on a metal juicer
  • In a mason jar or other drinking jar, mix the water, chia seeds, lemon juice, and lemon slices. If the jar has a lid, just give it a good shake. Let it sit for 15 minutes, to allow the seeds to gel and plump up, then enjoy!
    A table filled with chia seed water, lemon slices, and a bowl of chia seeds.

Lisa’s Tips

  • Don’t forget to give the jar a shake or stir before each sip, as the chia seeds will naturally fall to the bottom. I think it’s easiest to drink with this glass straw, and you can easily stir with the straw between sips. 

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chia seed, Chia Seed Recipe, Chia Seed Water
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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38 Comments

  1. This is great and I just ordered Chia seeds. Do I need to toast them before using in recipes or just eat raw?

    Thanks!

    Sonia

  2. Thanks for this great recipe! I added basil leaves and will buy a water fountain soon to make the fruit infused version for the whole fam since everyone loved it!5 stars

  3. Oh, how did I forget about this?

    I tried this out last Summer and was bringing a bottle full of chia seed water to the office, then I’m not sure why or when, I stopped doing it. Been feeling a bit meh recently, so here I am making this again, as well as turmeric tea, which I might alternate with jamu juice and golden milk.

    Chia seed water is such an easy and fun way to add more fibre to your diet!5 stars

  4. I thought I would have a problem with the texture of the Chia seeds, but I was wrong:) I’ve had lemon water before but it’s nice to know I am doing some extra good for my body with the Chia seeds. I also enjoy water with slices of oranges or cucumbers. I will be adding Chia sees to those as well. Thank you, Lisa, for all your hard work. I am truly enjoying your website and your Cookbook. Everything I have made so far has been a huge success. Your website and the Healthy Meal Prep cookbook are my only bibles to live by.5 stars

  5. Hi Lisa!
    Well, obviously, I love this healthy tip as it’s so easy to incorporate in your daily routine, and I’ve already spread the word to my friends on Instagram 🤣 I actually have a friend who is on keto but really can’t stand chia pudding as she doesn’t like the gooey, gel texture of the seeds, so I sent her this recipe, as well as the chocolate chia pudding mousse one, so she can still reap the benefits 😁5 stars

    1. I put the ingredients to chia seed pudding in the blender. It comes out smooth and with a better texture. I have texture issues too and can’t eat the pudding with while chia seeds.

  6. Lisa, I love anything with Chia and the water with chia and lemon makes me feel very hydrated and I alway have a problem with being dehydrated no mater how much I drink water
    Thank you so much for your recipes and advice. I have lowered my A1c to pre diabetic levels and my hashimoto’s thyroiditis is now reading at normal levels.
    I have also lost over 30 pounds in less than a year following your food and preparation information. I cant thank you enough for this helpful site that you have so lovingly and professionally created.

    1. Thrilled to hear you’re feeling so much better internally and externally Lisa! Keep it up :)

  7. Such a simple thing but one of the best recipes and ideas ever for traveling and at home!! My husband and I love our chia seed water now every day, especially in the summer. I have been traveling to the Middle East lately and knew the different food might have been challenging for my digestion. But the lemony chia seed water helped me adjust and feel great all the time! Thanks a huge lot!!!5 stars

  8. Woah that’s so simple yet refreshing! Have got a large pack of chia seeds and this will be my simple way to consume it. Thanks for sharing!5 stars

  9. I didn’t realize this was a “thing–” but I swear by chia in drinks in the summer!

    I’m sure it’s entirely psychological, but as cooling as cold water is by itself, there’s something extra refreshing about getting this tiny bursts of icy from-the-fridge-cold gel from the chia. On a hot day I crave it. I like it in iced teas, too.5 stars

  10. It is late so maybe I’m missing it but it doesn’t tell me the measurement of Chia seeds I should add says:

    It is late so maybe I’m missing it but it doesn’t tell me the measurement of Chia seeds I should add

  11. It just so happened I had all of the elements for this which isn’t typical.   I made this chia water today and it’s so refreshing and delicious! We’re at 100 degrees today and this is perfect.  Thank you! 😍5 stars

  12. Hello! I’ve been drinking this already and I stopped because some of my friends told me that seeds in general, like sesame also, will cause diverticulitis 🙁
     5 stars

    1. This is an old myth that has been proven wrong– in fact, the truth is kind of the opposite. Diverticulitis is more common in people eating a low fiber diet, and people suffering diverticulitis are recommended to increase fiber intake. Chia seeds are a fantastic source of soluble fiber; that’s that the gel around the seeds is!

      You might want to bring this up to your doctor instead of your friends if you’d prefer not to rely on an internet reply from a stranger (I wouldn’t blame you!).

  13. Lisa: I love your chocolate chia pudding, HOWEVER, I have a very strong gastric response, I.e., LOTS OF GAS!!might Might I be doing something wrong, or can I do something to lessen this response? I tried grinding the chia seeds, but the result was “gummy” chia seeds in my grinder.   Thanks, Patrick

  14. Yaaaaaaay, the chia water post is finally up!! Thank you so much for doing this, Lisa!! I hope you are having fun on your trip!!

  15. Love this! They used to sell it everywhere when I was living in Vietnam…forgot about it until I saw your recipe! Will definitely add this in to my routine. Thank you!5 stars

  16. This will probably sound like a really silly question, but is the aim to munch on the chia seeds and break them down between every swig and gulp, or do you just drink it straight?

    1. Thanks a lot of this healthy news its so surprising for we preserve this up to 5days inside the fridge . And especially the tips of how to serve it…i love to hear more benefits of it…thank you soo much..5 stars