Flax Seeds Health Benefits You Should Know
People are not more aware of the several health benefits of flaxseed or linseed, but flax seed’s health benefits are a boon. Flax seeds or linseed can simplify our day-to-day life with its tremendous beneficial uses and properties for health.
What Are Flax Seeds?
In This Article
Flax seeds are tiny brown-colored seeds round and broader at the bottom and pointed at the apex. Flax seeds are also known as flax, Linum usitatissimum, or linseed. Flaxseeds evolve from the flax plant that grows up to two feet in height, first found in Egypt. They are autumn crops cultivated in India and all over the world. They are a member of the genus Linum found in the Linaceae species.
Flaxseed seeds have miraculous properties and amazing benefits. They have practices and use Ayurveda for thousands of years. Omega 3 is not formed inside our body, it can be only taken through food items. Flax seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids in plenty, for vegetarians, which the non-vegetarians derive from consuming meat. These tiny seeds have loads of micro-nutrients in plenty including omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, vitamin B-1, copper, manganese, and lignans.
8 Amazing Health Benefits of Flax Seeds
Flax seeds, linseed, or Linum usitatissimumis are a kind of seeds beneficial for the body. It is well known in Ayurveda for its dietary & medicinal benefits and health benefits. Today it is available in every drug store or market in the form of supplements. Polyunsaturated fatty acids or Omega 3 fatty acids present in flax seeds have the disease-fighting ability to combat various health problems.
The lignans, vitamin E, and natural antioxidants found in flaxseed also prevent wrinkles and fine lines. They keep your skin moisturized and soft. Moreover, flaxseeds lessen hair fall and promote a healthy scalp. As a result of which there is a boost in hair growth, reduce hair damage by neutralizing free radicals and increase blood circulation in the head.
Regular consumption of flax seeds helps us to remain healthy and fit if taken only one-two spoons in our routine. Let’s know some amazing facts about flax seeds and know valuable flax seed’s health benefits. Also know how flax seeds can be helpful to handle different health problems.
1. Flaxseeds Health Benefits For Heart
The heart is the most essential part of our body. Having a problem in the heart means disturbing the whole body. Poor lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits increase the risk of heart ailments. Hence, have a habit of consuming healthy food that includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, vegetable soup, fresh fruit juice, etc. Avoid the intake of junk food, oily food, spicy food, cold beverages,m caffeinated drinks, etc. in excess. You can take flaxseed daily as advised by your health specialist. Flaxseed can keep your heart healthy, remove the blockage in the arteries, and protect you from potential heart diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Relieve Stress And Reduces High Blood Pressure
To stay healthy, it is crucial to remain stress. Stress causes many health complications. High blood pressure is one of them. High blood pressure or hypertension can cause health disorders, stroke, kidney failure, and even heart attack. When you experience high stress, your blood pressure increases. As a result of which your risk of heart attack, brain hemorrhage, and other heart diseases raises. Flaxseed can help you relieve stress and keep blood pressure under control. It is high in fiber, which may help reduce blood pressure and inflammation.
3. Assist In Weight Loss
Today, the majority of the world population has obesity or overweight, induced due to unhealthy eating and a hectic lifestyle. Obesity can be the reason for many heart-related ailments, type 2 diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disorder, kidney disease, heart disease, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides and apathy. Flaxseeds constitute a vital component of dietary fiber, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids, that can help suppress your appetite, preventing over-eating, and assist you to lose weight. It helps in digestion and keeps the stomach clean. Flaxseeds also provide energy to the body. Not only this, Flaxseed phenols present in flaxseed acts as a natural antioxidant that helps in weight loss.
Raw Flax Seeds
4. Flax Seeds Control Diabetes
Flaxseed reduces blood sugar. According to researches, the high content of soluble fiber, lignans, and mucilage in flaxseed can help reduces the amount of glucose in the blood, by regulating the process of digestion. Flaxseeds help control blood sugar levels and can help diabetics particularly type-2 diabetes and insulin sensitivity.
5. Boost Immune System
A strong and healthy immune system means a healthy body that can resist diseases. If your immune system is weak and you are prone to fall sick. There are a lot of ways to boost the immune system, but consuming flaxseed is one of them. It contains fiber, protein, and natural antioxidants beneficial for the immune system. Flax protein supports the immune system and strengthens it. Flaxseed contains soluble fibers and lignans that have the potential to lower the risk of autoimmune and neurological disorders, stroke, heart diseases, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. Also, Read – 5 Immune-Boosting Juice Recipes.
6. Controls Cholesterol
According to researches, people who consume flaxseed seeds have lower cholesterol levels. Omega acid reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol levels) and retains it under control. Besides, it enhances good cholesterol in the body and reduces bad cholesterol.
7. May Prevent Cancer
Eating flaxseed seeds reduces the chances of breast cancer and prostate cancer. According to studies, the omega-3 fatty acids present in flaxseed can reduce tumors and inhibit the damaged cells from holding to other cells. The lignans present in the flaxseed seeds can block the advancing of cancer cells in breast and prostate cancer. It can also regulate levels of estrogen in the body, which can prevent breast cancer. Moreover, it also detoxifies the body by removing harmful toxic substances.
8. Flaxseed Benefits In Respiratory Disorders
The high omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium content in flaxseeds have positive results in cough, cold, scleroderma, and asthma. They soothe the bronchi muscles and provides relief in dry cough, obstructed breathing, and asthma.
How To Take Flaxseeds
To have the supreme flaxseed’s health benefits, experts recommend them to consume ground flaxseed instead of whole. Ground flaxseed is much easier to digest while whole flaxseed can linger by your intestine unabsorbed. You can flaxseed roasted or raw. Grind flaxseed in a grinder and consume it daily in the ground form not more than one tablespoon or ten grams.
Possible Side Effects Of Flaxseeds
Although there are many health benefits of flax seeds they should be taken with the advice of a specialist only. Flaxseed should be consumed in moderation as advised by your health specialist. Otherwise, its overdose can also cause some problems with health. Always drink enough water or hot water, after eating flax seeds to avoid possible side effects. Overdose of flaxseed may have the following side effects.
- Excess consumption of flaxseeds may block your intestine, upset your stomach, cause constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, stomachache lower blood pressure, nervousness, nausea, etc.
- Moderate consumption is advisable as it may also serve as a goitrogen. Goitrogen upsets the formulation of thyroid hormones leading to dysfunction of the thyroid gland and goiter.
- Consumption of flaxseed during pregnancy or breast-feeding should be avoided unless consultation from your doctor.
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