Overnight shortcuts to improving digestive health come and go at knots on TikTok, but one specific recent hack—the “body shower” drink—makes a quick DIY fix. is dominated by a rolling feed of health trends.
Made from just three ingredients: water, chia seeds and lemon juice, Gutok lovers are adamant that the detoxifying blend is better than the sum of its ingredients.
“When you drink this on an empty stomach, it’s literally like an internal shower. Like an internal cleanse, it penetrates every inch of your intestines,” says drink creator Darryl Joffre. skinny confidential podcast.
Social media platforms are flooded with videos of people trying the drink, which is said to relieve constipation, bloating and even hangovers. But is it really beneficial for your gut health?
What is body shower drink?
The recipe for the drink is as follows.
Add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to a glass of water
Add freshly squeezed lemon juice up to 1 lemon
Add 1/8 teaspoon sea salt if desired
Stir to allow chia seeds to absorb water for up to 15 minutes.
stir again and drink
Can you “accelerate” digestion?
TikTokers advertise their “body shower” drink as a digestive booster, is this true or possible?
This drink uses chia seeds. This is a super-absorbent, fiber-rich seed that swells greatly when placed in liquids, giving it a unique gel-like texture.
They are widely believed to promote digestive health and nourish healthy gut bacteria.
However, promoting gut health is not the same as “boosting” or supercharging the body’s digestive functions.
In most cases, these processes run automatically in the body and cannot speed up the enzymatic processes that help break down food or sustain digestion and absorption.
Can constipation be relieved?
Some experts have suggested that TikTok users may have confused the concept of “facilitating digestion” with relieving constipation.
In fact, many online fans claim to have received this benefit from this drink.
Amy Fisher, MS, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian at the Good Housekeeping Institute, told affiliated journals that chia seeds are beneficial in treating constipation.
“Internal showers”, where consumers need to drink two tablespoons multiple times a day, can actually have the opposite effect on the gut.
“Like any other fiber source, taking it too early can have the opposite effect, leading to constipation and diarrhea, gas and bloating, which can be negative.
Two tablespoons of chia seeds weigh about 20-25 grams and contain 9-10 grams of fiber. Considering that her recommended daily intake target for adults is 30 grams per day for her, according to the NHS, the ‘body shower’ may be a bit too enthusiastic.
“If you don’t have fiber in your diet and you suddenly add a large amount of it that your body isn’t used to, it can cause indigestion,” she adds.
Instead, she recommends halving the number of chia seeds called for in the recipe and drinking plenty of water with the chia seeds to aid absorption.
“Eating slowly and steadily is the best way to add chia to your diet and reap its benefits,” she said.
The bottom line is that a “body shower” is not an immediate cure for gut health.
A stable, consistent, and varied diet packed with a wide range of fiber-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads (including chia seeds) will give you the best results for your gut.
