flaxseed health benefits

Flaxseeds Improve Your Health in These 8 Ways

Flaxseeds are rich in protein, fiber, and omega-3. But that's not all.

In this post, you’ll learn the health benefits of flaxseeds.

Flaxseeds are the most studied oilseeds up till now because of their large-scale consumption and medical uses.  

And since old age, flaxseed is being used extensively. 

What are Flaxseeds? 

Flaxseeds are seeds of the fruit of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). They are small, oval-shaped, flat seeds with color variations of yellow to brown. 

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The seeds are a rich source of protein, fiber, and omega-3. Being low in calories, flaxseeds are amazing nutrition for your body.

You can eat either whole or ground. Moreover, the oil of flaxseed is also beneficial for health.

Flaxseeds health benefits

Moving on, let’s take a look at the health benefits of flaxseeds:

1. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids

Since your body by itself cannot synthesize omega-3, it derives it through food via supplements.

Flaxseeds have omega-3 in abundance, which can be a great alternative to people who don’t have access to marine foods. 

Flaxseed has large amounts of ALA, and this makes it very effective in supporting cardiovascular disorders.  

A study shows that ALA helps in the prevention of cholesterol that sticks to in the heart vessels, decreases the size of the tumor, and lessens the inflammation of arteries. 

2. Reduces Cancer risk

Flaxseed contains lignan that is known to have antioxidant and estrogen properties.

Comparative to other plant foods, flaxseed contains approximately 800 times more lignan. 

Lignan plays an important role in preventing your body from getting hormonal cancer. 

A study of breast cancer demonstrates that lignan can help females to lessen the chances of getting breast cancer, especially after menopause. 

Besides breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer can also be treated through flaxseed

3. Helps in losing weight 

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Flaxseed can be used to lose weight. Indigestion can be a major cause of obesity. Adding flaxseed to your diet can help in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

It helps in improving your metabolism, which in turn aids in losing weight

A study illustrates that adding flaxseed to your diet can help in improving your digestion, along with lowering the risks of heart-related diseases. 

You may be wondering about how to use flaxseed for weight loss. Flaxseed can be eaten either whole or grounded. However, grounded flaxseed is said to be more beneficial to your body.

Related: Weight Loss Foods: 11 Low-Calorie Foods That’ll Help You Lose Weight

4. Reduces Hypertension

Hypertension is one of the biggest contributors to the world’s mortality rate. It is extensively treated by medicines. 

However, besides medication, a healthy lifestyle and diet can significantly lower the risk of hypertension. 

Studies have shown that adding flaxseed to your diet can positively impact your hypertension level. The ALA present in flaxseed has shown a significant decline in blood pressure levels. 

5. Loads of nutrients

Flaxseed has a lot of health benefits due to the variety of nutrients it contains. Some of these nutrients are: 

  • α-Linolenic Acid
  • Omega-3 fatty acid
  • Lignan
  • Dietary fiber
  • Protein
  • Alcium
  • Magnesium 

6. Reduce blood sugar

Diabetes in the blood is a major health issue around the globe. Some studies have shown that flaxseed can help reduce the sugar of diabetics. 

As it can maintain the blood cholesterol level so it also stimulates the blood sugar to an ideal level. 

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Adding flaxseed regularly to your diet can support maintaining sugar levels. The nutrients and fiber in flaxseed can aid in having a healthy lifestyle. 

7. Provides a healthy digestive system

As explained above, flaxseeds help a lot when it comes to losing weight. The reason they can help in weight loss is the basis of a healthy digestive system. 

It’s a natural seed that is used to relieve constipation as well as diarrhea. The laxative exhibited by flaxseed provides healthy digestion in human bodies. 

Furthermore, it has antioxidant properties, so it offers a relatively healthy body.

8. Benefits of Lignan

Diets enriched in polyphenols have plenty of health benefits. Lignan, being polyphenols are found in flaxseed in high concentration. 

Lignans are bioactive composites that have a variety of benefits including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidants. 

Hence, the supplement of flaxseed can reduce body weight. Also, it controls blood pressure and blood sugar level.

Due to the antitumor nature of lignan, they can help in reducing the size of tumors and can protect against cardiovascular diseases

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Takeaway

From ancient times, flaxseeds have been used significantly due to their immense health benefits. They have been consumed heavily and passed on to the next generations.

Thus, flaxseed health benefits are more than those recognized. 

They improve your body’s blood pressure, heart health, weight, and a lot more. 

Don’t wait!

Start adding an adequate amount of flaxseed to your diet and feel the difference.