The health benefits of flaxseeds have been documented since time immemorial. Even Charles, the Great ordered his subjects to eat flaxseeds regularly for their wellbeing. This gave flaxseeds the name ‘Linum usitatissimum,’ which means ‘the most useful.’ Today, flaxseed is considered a superfood as more and more scientific researchers are backing its benefits. From keeping the digestive tract in the best health to managing cholesterol, let’s check out some of the most touted health benefits of flaxseed below.
Health Benefits Of Flaxseeds
1.A Nutrient Rich Food:
Flaxseed, in all its forms, is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. A single serving of flaxseed, which is around one tablespoon, provides the body 1/3 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates and 37 calories along with healthy omega 3fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Furthermore, flaxseeds are also the top source of lignans, a polyphenol found only in plants. This nutritional profile is enough to make people understand why it’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods.
2.Improves Digestive Health:
One of the most significant benefits of flaxseeds is its ability to improve digestive health. Flaxseed contains light quantities of mucilage, a gel-forming water-soluble fiber, which prevents the stomach from emptying too quickly and increases nutrient absorption. Flaxseed is rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps reduce sugar cravings and detox colon by helping you poop daily without any hassle.
3.Gives A Healthy Skin And Hair:
Girls, if you want healthy skin, nails, and hair, you might want to have to add flaxseed to your diet. Flaxseeds contain ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) fats and B complex vitamins, which help reduce dryness and flakiness of skin and hair. When consumed regularly, flaxseeds can also improve the symptoms of eczema, acne and rosacea. Just 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil or 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds in your smoothies or cereals will do the trick.
4.Aids Weight Loss:
Research carried by the Journal of Nutrition found that a regular consumption of flaxseed can support weight loss. Flaxseeds are full of fiber and healthy fats, which will help you stay full for a longer time, thereby preventing overeating. ALA fats in flax seeds, even help reduce inflammation, which is extremely important for weight loss as an inflamed body holds excess weight.
5.Improves Heart Health:
Nutrition and Metabolism concluded in their study that eating flaxseed daily can reduce the cholesterol levels naturally. The soluble fiber present in flaxseed traps cholesterol and fat in the digestive system, preventing it from being absorbed. It even traps bile, a fluid made from cholesterol present in the gallbladder. The bile is in turn excreted through the digestive system, forcing the body to use excess cholesterol in the blood, thereby reducing cholesterol in the body.
6.Flaxseed Can Even Fight Cancer:
Several studies have backed that flaxseed can help prevent the occurrence of hormonal cancers, such as breast cancer. This is because lignans, when consumed converts into enterodiol and enterolactone in the gut. These two substances bind the estrogen receptor sites and reduce the overall estrogen activity in the body. This is extremely important in preventing hormonal cancers as high estrogen levels promote their growth.
Improves Brain Health:
The high levels of ALA (alpha-linoleic acid) in flaxseeds is linked to better brain health. A deficiency in ALA can cause brain deformations by altering the structure and function of the membranes. So if you want to give competition to Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai, include flaxseed in your diet right away.
Improves Immunity:
The protein of flaxseed contains high levels of glutamine and arginine, which is shown to support the immune system. Glutamine, primarily, is known for its ability to reduce infection and mortality through its anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, bioactive peptides in flaxseed are shown to inhibit malarial parasite in culture samples.
Flaxseed Can Fight Diabetes:
Lignans and fatty acids in flaxseeds protect the body from diabetes by inhibiting expression of a gene, coding for a glucose-synthesizing enzyme in the liver. A study even found that type 2 diabetic patients, who consumed flaxseed powder for a month showed reduced fasting blood glucose by 19.7%. Another study found that the blood glucose levels reduced by 8 to 19% in people who consumed 15 to 20 grams of flaxseed powder daily for two months.
Fights Inflammation:
The primary cause of inflammation is a deficiency in the omega 3 fatty acids in the body. ALA and lignans in flaxseeds reduce inflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory agents. Flaxseeds even increase the absorption of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), two types of omega 3 fatty acids, which also prevent inflammation.
So what are you waiting for? Head to your nearest supermarket and stock your kitchen with flaxseed right away. You’ll notice positive changes in your body within a few days of consumption. And if you have any more health benefits of flaxseed to share with us, leave us a comment below.