Flax seed is one of the oldest crops ever known. They were consumed as food for around 6000 years. This crop is cultivated worldwide and it is a well-known super food. Being a super food, flax seeds have many benefits and they help improve digestion, fight cancer, control diabetes, lower down blood pressure, clear skin, lower cholesterol, balance hormones, and promote weight loss. People basically use flax seeds to resolve gastrointestinal problems from the body. Flaxseed oil possesses many medicinal properties.
Flaxseed
The seed from the plant Linum usitatissimum is called as Flaxseed. They are small, brown, dark or golden-colored seeds that possess medicinal properties. They are also called as linseeds. They are high fiber food that is rich in omega-3 fats. They are quite remarkable for health and help to reduce cholesterol levels in our body. Flaxseed is a good source of high fiber, vitamin-B, and omega-3 acids. The fiber in flaxseed is soluble in your body and the fiber is found in its seed coat. Taken before a meal, flaxseed fiber reduces the appetite of people so that they might feel full and thus ensures that one can be supported in reducing weight.
Nutritional Value of Flaxseed
Flaxseeds are a rich source of minerals and they possess several nutritional benefits. Only 3 tablespoons of flaxseed contain about 8 grams of fiber which is very high as compared to other seeds. It contains 6,338mg omega acids which are very good for heart and skin. It also contains 6g of protein and it is a rich source of vitamin B1 which is about 31% RDA. It is also a rich source of minerals which includes - manganese 35% RDA, magnesium 30% RDA, phosphorus 19% RDA and selenium 10% RDA. Flaxseeds’ nutrition profile also contains vitamin B6, iron, potassium, copper and zinc.
Nutritional facts Per 100 grams
Health Benefits of Flaxseed
Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Flaxseed
High fiber food
Flax seeds are a high fiber food and hence termed as a super food. 1 helps the process of detoxification in your body and supports liver and kidney. It contains high levels of water-soluble mucilage gum content which helps in increasing the absorption of nutrients from the food that you eat. This water-soluble fiber helps in trapping toxic substances which then excreted out of your body
Good for digestive system
Flaxseeds improve your digestive system by increasing probiotics in the guts. It also helps in protecting the lining of the digestive tract and thus helps in preventing digestive ailments. It can also help in decreasing gut inflammation. Flax is rich in magnesium which helps in improving our digestive health. It also helps people who are suffering from constipation.
High antioxidants
Flax seeds are rich in anti-oxidants that enable the body in slowing down the aging process. It contains fiber-related polyphenols called as Lignans that provide us with antioxidant properties. This property helps in maintaining hormonal balance and also protects us from viral infections. These also prevent the body from the free radicals that are always looking to harm the body
Support Weight loss
A fiber-rich food helps to reduce weight because it nourishes your body with healthy fats that makes the consumer avoid overeating. It also helps in decreasing inflammation in your body. Studies show that consumption of flax seeds reduces appetite and thus marks food cravings. It also traps the bad fat making it insoluble in your body. Thus it may aid in losing extra fat from your body through excretion.
Reduce cholesterol levels
Another good thing about flax seeds is that it decreases cholesterol levels by increasing the amount of soluble fiber in your body. Soluble fiber helps in trapping cholesterol and bad fat. Absorbed seeds will finally be excreted out of your body. It also helps in lowering down blood pressure and diabetes. Flaxseed does not reduce good cholesterol (High-density Lipoprotein) in your body. It helps to reduce only the bad cholesterol (Low-density Lipoprotein) from your body.
Skincare
Flaxseed helps in clearing your skin and acts as a natural moisturizer. If your skin is dry, then consumption of 1tbsp of flaxseed on the daily basis can help your skin feel soft and nourished. It is rich in essential fats and vitamin B that helps in protecting your skin against skin diseases like acne, pimples, rosacea, and eczema. It also helps in removing dryness from your eyes.
Healthy for hair
Flax seeds also help to improve the health of your hair. These seeds ensure that the hair are hydrated and removed of dryness from them. Dry and flaky hair can be turned to shiny and healthy hair if you apply flax seed oil on your hair
High Omega-3-type fatty acids
Flax seeds contain such fatty acids. They are an excellent natural source that helps in providing such fats. Thus, vegetarian can take benefits from flax seeds. These are very good for heart health and many of you only know about fish oil which contains the highest amount of acids. They are a good option for those also who have allergies from sea-food. These are also very good for the brain and help in making the neurons healthy.
Helpful for women undergoing menopause
The lignans in the flax balance the hormones in our body and studies prove that it is very good for women experiencing menopause. Lignans possess estrogenic properties and which help to benefit the women. It can thus be used as a hormonal supplement of estrogens. It could also young women to maintain the regularity of their menstrual cycle.
Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease which eats away your bones and this is the deadly disease. This is basically an old age disease but making your bones stronger in the teenage years is very important to avoid the risk of osteoporosis. Flaxseed also aids in the prevention of this disease and help in maintaining your bones stronger. It also helps in making grease in the bone joint which further makes bones healthy.
Flax is anti-inflammatory
Flax possesses anti-inflammatory properties and it is a gluten-free seed. You can also use this seed in cooking because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Those who possess gluten sensitivity can use this seed as an option. Flax seeds are helpful in preventing your body against infections
Fights cancer
The most important benefit of flax seed is that it prevents cancer. Cancer is a type of deadly infection that leads to abnormal growth of cells. Studies show that consumption of flaxseeds support in fighting several types of cancer that include – breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and ovarian cancer. Prevention of cancer is very important nowadays because it is increasing at a very high pace.
Uses of Flaxseed
You have seen several benefits of this super food and now, so how can you use it to add it to your diet. There are many ways to consume flax seeds. You can add it in your salad, muffins, yogurt, honey, bread, and cookies. You can also add it in your smoothie or you can add it in your sprouts. You can take 1 to 3 tablespoon of flaxseed daily by mixing it with your favorite smoothie.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Flaxseed
Flaxseed is quite safe but sometimes its overconsumption may lead to many side-effects. These are basically gastrointestinal side-effects which can lead to increase in the number of bowel movements, gastric trouble, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Flaxseed should be consumed in little quantities and you should drink plenty of water to avoid any side effects. In some cases, it can also block your intestines. This type of laxative effect can happen due to the formation of large lignin chemicals in your body. You should discontinue consumption of flaxseed as soon as you notice any kind of side effects. Sometimes, flaxseed can be poisonous to you if you take it raw or unripe.
Origin And Cultivation of Flaxseed
Flaxseed is quite safe but sometimes its overconsumption may lead to many side-effects. These are basically gastrointestinal side-effects which can lead to increase in the number of bowel movements, gastric trouble, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Flaxseed should be consumed in little quantities and you should drink plenty of water to avoid any side effects. In some cases, it can also block your intestines. This type of laxative effect can happen due to the formation of large lignin chemicals in your body. You should discontinue consumption of flaxseed as soon as you notice any kind of side effects. Sometimes, flaxseed can be poisonous to you if you take it raw or unripe.
