Flaxseed: 10 Health Benefits for Well-being Boost – Organic Gyaan

“Wherever flaxseeds become a regular food item among the people, there will be better health.” – Mahatma Gandhi.

The Father of the Nation recognized the importance of this tiny superfood and suggested their inclusion in the daily course of meals to lead healthier lives. Not only he, but our ancestors also realized the flax seeds benefits and their meal was incomplete without the inclusion of flax seeds in any form. It is an underrated and still-to-be-explored miracle that usually remained unnoticed on the kitchen shelves. Let’s discover more interesting facts about this superfood in this article.

What are Flaxseeds?

Flax seeds are also called alsi seeds or linseeds in India. They are small, brownish, plant-based food that is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and have a mild nutty flavour. Generally, flax seeds are eaten on their own or as oil. In the market, one can get two types of flax seeds: Yellow and brown. Both varieties have equal nutrient value and can be consumed easily by adding to salads or smoothies.

Historical Footprints of Flax Seeds

If you turn the pages of the historical development of human food, you will be surprised that flax seeds were consumed as core food across the world. If you go deep into history, you will find proof of using flax seeds around 30,000 years ago first time. Then as time advanced, humans discovered these seeds are not only meant for textiles but are a powerhouse of vital nutrients and ancient Greeks and Romans included them as food. So, here is the brief traversal journey of Flax seeds:

Almost 30,000 years ago, present The Republic of Georgia was the first user of flax seeds as fibre and they spun, dyed, and knotted the wild flax fibres.
After many years, and 9000 years ago, the flax seeds were domesticated to fetch oil from them in Syria.
In Switzerland and Germany, there are shreds of evidence of steady harvesting of this crop 5000 years ago.
During the same time, China and India also cultivated the crop for various purposes.

Do you know about the nutrition Profile of Flax seeds?

Although flax seeds are inexpensive, they are enriched in nutrition content when compared to nuts. The rich source of amino acids will keep it competent for soybeans. Flax seeds have 534 calories per 100 gm as compared to 55 calories for each tablespoon weighing 10 gm of whole seeds. So, one will get an entire stock of nutrition hidden in these small brown seeds and that doesn’t bother your wallet too! Explore the Flaxseed nutrition chart:

Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 30mg
Total carbohydrate: 28.9 gm
Dietary fibre: 27.3 gm
Protein: 18.3 gm
Calcium: 255 mg
Potassium: 813 mg
Phosphorous: 642 mg
Iron: 5.7 mg

What are the top 10 flaxseeds Health Benefits?

Flax seeds or alsi seeds have been around since ancient times, but it’s recently that they are getting the deserved fame as healthy food. Flaxseeds pack huge benefits that have cures for several diseases, as explained below:

1. May Help Reduce the Risk of Cancer

This high source of omega-3 fatty acids may help to stop the growth of cancer cells of different types. The lignans slow down tumour growth and prevent the formation of new blood vessels. The increasing concern about breast cancer can have lower incidences with regular consumption of flax seeds. As Lignans are a type of phytoestrogen that play a protective role in different types of cancer.

2. May Help Lower Cholesterol Levels

Eating more Omega-3s and fibre daily improves heart health and flax seeds have both of them. The inflammatory properties promote the health of the heart and arteries by reducing bad cholesterol. The soluble fibre of flaxseeds traps fat and cholesterol to make it unabsorbent.

3. May Help Regulate Blood Pressure Levels

Regular intake of flax seeds may help lower your cholesterol and high blood pressure. One can see the desired effect on diastolic blood pressure with ground flaxseeds.

4. Reduce Inflammation

ALA and lignans of flax seeds help to reduce inflammation by blocking the release of pro-inflammatory agents. The consumption of flax seeds in oil form is very effective to reduce inflammation.

5. Keep your Bowel Healthy

Flax seeds are bliss for people suffering from constipation, unease bowel movements, and other digestive ailments. The fibre of flax seeds cleans waste from your system by providing food for good bacteria.

6. May Help Reduce Heart-Related Risks

Enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids, flax seeds are panaceas for heart diseases. One may get effective relief from problems like blood clotting, and prevent stroke, heart disease, pulmonary embolism, and others by regularly eating flax seeds.

7. Make your Skin and Hair Healthy

Have you recently heard of increased flax seed use in the cosmetic sector? The vitamin E in flaxseed oil prevents hair loss and stimulates new hair growth significantly. The Lignans antioxidant may help to improve overall hair & skin health.

8. Supports Healthy Weight Management

As these magic seeds are rich in fibre, one who eats flax seeds at regular intervals can feel full for a longer time. Eating flax seeds 2-4 tablespoons per day can cut your cravings and your digestive tract will get stimulated by fibre-rich foods which in turn will help you manage a healthy weight!

9. Flax Seeds are a Good Source of Protein

Consuming flax seeds every day will full fill your protein needs. It may help improve the health of your bones, muscles, and cartilage as well as skin and hair. So, infuse flaxseeds into your daily diet and give a boost to your health.

10. May Help Ease symptoms of Arthritis

Several researchers found that flax seeds are effective in reducing joint pain and stiffness. Although sufficient research needs to be done, people are consuming it either in the seed form or as an oil, or in capsule form to get relief.

Conclusion

Superfoods are complete bliss for human beings as they are rich in nutrients and possess antioxidant properties. Although we all are struggling with chronic diseases with all potential, our changing lifestyle is making it worse. In this challenging time, our ancestor’s knowledge can prove to be miracles. So, let’s trust their unparalleled knowledge, and embrace tiny, brown ancient crops in our daily meals. Let us fight lifestyle diseases by combining the latest technology and ancient knowledge together. No wonder organically grown flax seeds benefits lead you to a healthy lifestyle so its time either you add them to your breakfast cereal or add a tablespoon of ground to your Yogurt for the lunch!