If you’ve been scrolling TikTok or Instagram Reels lately, you might feel bombarded by a recent uptick in trends surrounding weight wellness. From “tadpole” water to a morning cup of green tea, let’s take a closer look at these trends and find out if they actually hold any weight.

“Tadpole” water 

As weird as it sounds, “tadpole” water only consists of two ingredients—and no, one of them isn’t tadpoles. This trend involves putting around 1-2 tablespoons of chia seeds into a glass of water, letting them sit and soak, and drinking it. When the chia seeds are soaked through, they essentially give off the look of tadpoles in water.

So, what’s the story behind this trend? Well, the thinking around chia seed water is that they will expand in the stomach and take up more space, therefore making you feel full. Additionally, since chia seeds are rich in soluble fiber, they will slow down digestion and help you feel full. As a result, it’s thought that this will affect weight.

Debunked: While it may be true that chia seeds have about 4g of fiber per serving and the soluble fiber in chia seeds does help slow down digestion, this doesn’t mean that chia seed water will directly affect your weight. Sure, adding fiber and protein to your diet is a good thing; both can affect digestion and help you feel fuller, but the evidence on tadpole water is limited.

It’s also important to remember that adding too much fiber too quickly can result in some unpleasant digestive effects. That being said, chia seeds themselves are very healthy and can be a great addition to your diet (in moderation) as they contain protein, fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants. We love them in overnight oats and smoothies!

Green tea 

Green tea has been around for thousands of years, originating in China, but it’s been increasingly popular in recent months. Why? Many on social media are going in on the green tea trend and adding a cup (or three) to their morning routine.

The active components of green tea that are associated with weight wellness are caffeine and catechins, specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a flavonoid with antioxidant properties.

Debunked: The National Institutes of Health - Office of Dietary Supplements states that while there are some studies that suggest green tea may affect the way the body breaks down fat, its effects on weight are very minimal and there is no meaningful relationship between the two. That being said, having a cup of green tea can start your morning off on the right foot, especially due to its antioxidant properties.

“Wellness” shots 

“Wellness” shots are what they sound like. These shots contain fresh fruit or vegetable-based cold-pressed juice, along with ingredients like turmeric, ginger, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, or lemon. There are a lot of claims surrounding these tiny juices, including around metabolism and appetite control.

Debunked: While there is no evidence that suggests wellness shots have any direct effect on your weight, they can be beneficial in other ways. Some wellness shots can be full of necessary vitamins and minerals. (You can also try a multivitamin if your goal is to bridge nutrient gaps.) Remember, it’s better to eat your fruit and veggies whole instead of juiced so you can get all of the nutrition they provide, as juicing removes the fiber, an important component of any healthy weight management journey. 

Find weight wellness support with Nature’s Way 

If you’re on a weight wellness journey, Nature’s Way is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need multivitamins for nutritional support, supplements for bone, joint, and muscle health, or stress management support, Nature’s Way has what you need.* Supplement your weight journey and shop our weight wellness collection here.