An adequate supply of protein, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from one serving of flaxseed. It could assist in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, helping to maintain a healthy weight, and lowering the risk of some cancers. Flaxseed can improve the flavour and texture of nearly any recipe because of its mild, nutty flavour and crisp, crunchy consistency.
5 Health benefits of flaxseed are:
1. Rich in nutrients: Among the oldest crops on Earth is flaxseed. Brown and golden are the two varieties, and they are both equally nutrient-dense (1Trusted Source). You can get a good amount of protein, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids from just one serving, in addition to several essential vitamins and minerals.
2. An abundance of omega-3 fatty acids: Flaxseed is a great source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a form of omega-3 fatty acid that is mostly present in plant-based diets and is beneficial for heart health (5Trusted Source). One of the two essential fatty acids that you need to get from your diet because your body cannot produce it is ALA.
3. Aid in preventing cancer: Plant chemicals called lignans, which have been shown to have strong anti-cancer effects, are abundant in flaxseed. Remarkably, compared to other plant foods, this seed has 75–800 times more lignans (6Trusted Source). Consuming flaxseed may reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to certain studies, especially for postmenopausal women (11Trusted Source).
4. Full of fibre: Two grammes of fibre can be obtained from just 1 tablespoon (7 grammes) of ground flaxseed, which represents approximately 5% and 8% of the daily recommended intake for men and women, respectively (2Trusted Source).
Furthermore, the bacteria in your intestines ferment the soluble and insoluble fibres found in flaxseed, promoting gut health and enhancing bowel regularity (16Trusted Source).
5. Possibly reduce cholesterol: Additionally, flaxseed may aid in lowering cholesterol. Eating four tablespoons (30 grammes) of ground flaxseed daily reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 15% in participants with peripheral artery disease, according to a one-month study (17Trusted Source). Similar results were found in a 12-week study involving 112 individuals with high blood pressure, which showed that consuming 4 tablespoons (30 grammes) of flaxseed daily significantly lowered blood pressure, total cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) (18Trusted Source).
