Flax or linseed has become a buzzword in our society. Reason being that we are becoming more conscious of our health and wellness.
Flaxseed is exceptionally recommended for general wellbeing, and complete human nutrition. The seed is always considered as nature’s abundant provider of omega-3 fatty acids.
Particularly, this may be one important need for human health or for the proper functioning of the body systems.
At a first look, flax seeds appear exactly like sesame seeds use in making on fast food sandwich buns. Their color is commonly yellow, while most flax seeds come in brown color.
However, the color of flaxseed doesn’t change their particular nutritional benefits. Regardless of what the color is, flax seeds have many dietary ingredients in them.
Flax seeds tend to be obtainable every-where. Generally, you can get them at your local health grocery store near you or exactly at shops where you can buy organic food items sold in massive quantities.
Someone can easily buy the seeds or can purchase the vitamin supplements of flax seeds in capsule form.
Nutrients and vitamins in flaxseed
Flaxseed is the best supplier of Omega 3 fatty acids, one of the very best nutrients for the brain and body function.
Because of the presence of Omega 3, eating flax seeds improves your potential to think quicker and concentrate much better.
There are several nutrients in flaxseed, and they are:
- Fiber
Flaxseeds, like many other seeds, have both soluble and insoluble fiber contents. Also, they have a unique fiber called mucilage.
Mucilage is a natural laxative and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
Flaxseeds are generally referred to as low carb food because they are really low in fiber and carbs. The very fact makes flax seed very beneficial to digestive health.
- Lignans
Lignans are chemicals that occur naturally in plants. They have ostrogen properties, which help to thwart the growth of tumors in the human body.
Studies show that flaxseed contains lignan than other seeds, as well as grains and other plant foods.
What’s more, they help in the reduction of blood pressure, blood glucose, and fat as well as heart diseases.
They can reduce the risk of different cancer types and improve overall health. The gut bacteria ferment them in the digestive system to become bioactive mammalian lignans
- Protein
Flaxseed contains several healthy components in which protein is one of them. Consuming just 100grams of linseed can provide between 25 to 30 grams of protein, which is equivalent to that of soya beans.
The protein content of flaxseed makes them a great benefit to the immune system as well as the heart.
- Fat
Flaxseeds are a good source of – Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), which is an essential fatty acid in omega-3.
Omega- 3 fatty acids are known to alter enzyme synthesis and as well reduce the risk of many heart-related diseases.
It’s is also very important for bodybuilding since it enhances insulin sensitivity within the muscle cells.
Also, the alpha-linolenic acid of flaxseed helps in preventing the heart’s blood vessels from receiving cholesterol deposits.
- Vitamins and Minerals
There are the presence of B and E-vitamins in flaxseeds. Also, they’re rich in essential minerals such as iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, nickel, manganese, calcium, sulfur, silicon, molybdenum, chromium, and cobalt.
These vitamins and minerals help in proper nerve functioning. They also promote strong bone, metabolism as well as maintenance of healthy tissue.
Benefits of flax seeds
- Relief from constipation
Flaxseed is a good remedy for constipation problems. They are astringents that exhibit laxative properties that make it a great solution for constipation.
There are several ways of consuming flaxseed, and they include the following:
- Chew the seeds in moderate quantity. Do not eat them raw, instead, consider cooking, toasting, or baking the seeds.
- Consume in powdered form. Grind the seeds using a coffee grinder or similar device to transform into powder.
- Also, you can add the power in your juice, smoothies (non-dairy), or cereal food.
- Sprinkle on salad and eat. In this form, you will enjoy the nutrients from both flaxseeds and salad.
Note that you should not consume flaxseeds in excessive quantities. And again, after taking that seeds in whichever form, make sure you drink plenty of normal water.
Taking just 3 tbs of flaxseed twice daily is moderate, and can provide the best result while large amount can cause a toxic effect.
- Cure of acne
Adding flaxseeds to your diet can reduce acne outbreak due to the presence of fatty acids that help control the production of androgens – steroid hormone which can trigger skin inflammation like acne when it increases.
Besides, androgen is essential for building muscle mass, burning fat. Also, it helps in reducing water bloating that occurs due to a rise in androgens.
- Management of weight
As said earlier, flaxseeds have a great deal of dietary fiber. They also contain some levels of healthy fat.
This very fact makes very good food to help you manage weight. How does it work?
The healthy fat will help you maintain a healthy weight while the dietary fiber keeps you full without consuming more than required.
- Prevention of hot flashes
Menopause usually comes with hot flashes that irritate. However, consuming 40 grams of flaxseed daily can help significantly in the prevention of such.
It can be very helpful to women who experience such irritation, especially when they do not take estrogen therapy.
- Control of blood sugar
Generally, flaxseed helps to reduce and control the body’s blood sugar. High blood sugar is known to increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Thus, for the fact that flaxseed has some amount of insoluble fiber, it will slow down the amount of sugar released to the blood.
Hence, persons having diabetes, especially type-2 diabetes, can as a remedy include flaxseed to their daily diet.
- Inflammation reduction
Research reveals that the lignans and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) contents in flaxseed help in the reduction of inflammation in the body.
Body inflammation can come as a result of sicknesses like Parkinson’s disease. What lignin and ALA do is to prevent pro-inflammatory agents from being released.
- They serve edible functions
Some flaxseed species are edible and safe to chew raw. These chewy kinds taste like nuts and taste sweet.
Thus, making them the right choice for snacks. The seeds also serve for medical purposes.
It is either you chew the flax seeds raw, or you grind them and use for many assorted recipes.
Notably, one can utilize the most benefits of linseed components by eating it in powder form. Surprised? Yes, the reason is that the seed cannot digest easily, if not chewed or ground.
- Radiation protection
These days, a wide range of persons go through radiation therapies, which can cause inflammation of the lungs, as well as other severe injuries.
However, lignans in flaxseed have helped reduce the incidents of inflammation after radiation accidents or therapies.
The research done with mice that had radiation incidents revealed the fact. The mice that were given flax and survived even without inflammation than others that did not take flaxseed.
Final words
Flax or linseeds contain a great deal of functional and nutritional properties. All these properties make it a very good source of human dietary satisfaction.
The seeds are affordable, and you can quickly get them in your nearby health food store.
Get the natural healthy seeds now and reap the health benefits, so that when the entire health-conscious society is on the wellness wagon, you can be in their numbers.
