Flaxseed oil comes from tiny seeds but ironically with huge benefits! It has been cultivated as early as 3000 BC and is still present in abundant amounts in the present. Today, this small but very powerful seed can be found in many types of food such as crackers and oatmeal – food that people consume on a regular basis.
What Makes Flaxseed so Healthy?
Good fats are present in this seed which are referred to as Omega-3 essential fatty acids. There is a high concentration of this nutrient being 1.8 grams of good fat in one tablespoon only! Fiber, which helps in proper digestion is also present in flaxseed. Lignans present in the seed also has antioxidant qualities.
What are the Health Benefits of Flaxseed?
- There have been studies have shown that flaxseed can potentially protect people from getting cancers such as prostate, breast and colon cancer.
- Heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases can also be prevented. A diet rich in this seed can prevent artery hardening and can also prevent plaque from building up. Omega-3’s present in flaxseed maintains the natural beat of the heart thus you get to avoid arrhythmia. Cholesterol levels also lower down.
- Blood sugar is improved and diabetes is avoided. This has been proven with people who were spared from type 2 diabetes with the help of lignans in flaxseed.
- This seed also has anti-inflammatory components that aid in preventing inflammation during asthma. Same is true with the inflammation that occurs during heart attacks and strokes.
Tips for Using
As much as possible, it is better to grind flaxseed because eating it as is makes it go through the digestive system without breaking down, thus the body can’t absorb as much nutrients from it. You can mix this healthy seed with food that you habitually eat such as soup, smoothies, yogurt and the like. Lastly, you must store it in the freezer to keep it from oxidizing.
