
When chia seeds are soaked in water, they undergo a physical transformation driven by their high soluble fiber content. This fiber absorbs water and forms a mucilaginous gel layer around each seed. The gel is stabilized by microfibers on the seed surface, which help maintain its structure and prevent the seeds from clumping together. As the seeds absorb water, their mass increases significantly while their overall density approaches that of the surrounding liquid. This results in a state known as neutral buoyancy, where the upward buoyant force balances the downward gravitational force. In this state, the chia seeds neither sink nor float but remain suspended uniformly throughout the liquid. This equilibrium explains the visually striking and evenly dispersed appearance of chia seeds in beverages.
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