A gastro reacts to this new weight-loss hack going viral

If your patients are suddenly sipping chia seed and lemon water and swearing they’ve cracked the weight-loss code, you’re not imagining it—this wellness drink has taken over social media.

So what’s the deal? Is it just another Instagram-fueled fad, or could there be something to it?

In a recent Instagram Reel, gastroenterologist Joseph Salhab, MD, reacts to a patient’s chia-lemon water routine. He doesn’t shut it down—but he definitely clears up the science.

Chia seeds and lemon water, he says, aren’t some magical drink that’s going to melt off pounds. But they do offer some real benefits. When soaked, chia seeds form a gel-like texture that can help people feel fuller longer. That fullness can support appetite regulation—something plenty of patients struggle with.

As for the lemon? According to Salhab, it’s mostly a flavor and a vitamin C boost. “I would not use lemon from concentrate,” he says. “I’d just use fresh lemon or take a wedge and squeeze it in.”

He also flagged a modern-day health and sustainability concern: plastic bottles. “I’m trying to stay away from plastic bottles more often now,” he says. “Just a personal preference with microplastics being a problem nowadays… plus it’s not environmentally friendly.”

Should you recommend this 'hack' to your patients?

Not necessarily—but there’s no need to shut it down either. It’s not a clinical intervention, but for some patients, it’s a gentle, non-restrictive way to feel more in control of their choices. That sense of control can be a critical stepping stone to broader behavior change.

Salhab sums it up simply: It’s a nice, tasty drink that offers fiber, hydration, and a little nutrient bump—but it’s no miracle.

If a patient brings it up, it might be worth the conversation—not to discredit it, but to help them set realistic expectations. Because the chia-lemon water craze might be sticky, but evidence-based advice should be even stickier.