Flaxseed is one of the most powerful and nutritious foods and here is why;
- Flaxseed is good for the heart. Each tablespoon of flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of omega-3 essential fatty acids which have been shown to have healthy heart effects and lower blood pressure.
- Flaxseed can lower the risk of cancer. Some studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed inhibit tumor incidence and growth. Also the lignans, which are one of the major classes of phytoestrogens and scavenge free radicals in the body, in flaxseed may provide some protections against cancers.
- Flaxseed can lower bad cholesterol. Some studies have shown that intake of flaxseed can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol level because of the combined benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and lignans.
Although flaxseed is super nutritious, it is advised that pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers do not consume flaxseed because of the estrogen-like properties it contains.
So how much should we eat flaxseed every day? According to the Flax Council of Canada, 1 to 2 tablespoons a day is the suggested dose. However, when flaxseed is eaten whole, it is more likely to pass the intestinal tract undigested and the body cannot get any healthful components, so grinding it before eating is better.
Also, as ground flaxseed can spoil quite quickly, it is better to grind it yourself rather than buying ground one and only grind the portion you need every time. Flaxseed can go rancid within a few weeks after opening the package so it’s the best to keep it in a freezer.
Another thing is, when you buy flaxseed, choose the bottles or bags with opaque packaging as light can damage flaxseed causing it go rancid.
Flaxseed can be used in a variety of foods such as muffin, pancake, bread, smoothies, and cereals. Make sure to grind it before using it!