Flax seeds are now found in the mainstream market, and for a good reason. These bronze-colored, flattened, tiny seeds are full of nutrients and fiber that make them beneficial for your
health.
They are low in cholesterol
but contain nutritional goodies such as alpha-linolenic acid, proteins, and are
packed with calories. The alpha-linolenic acid in flax seeds is known to lower
the risk of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and other inflammatory
diseases.
These seeds are also brimming with important elements such as selenium, thiamin, manganese, calcium, and gamma-tocopherol. Not only that, but it also contains lignans, which are powerful phytochemical antioxidants that have many health benefits.
You don’t want to miss the health benefits of flax
seeds. Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can consume flax seeds
for the best results. Here are some of these ways.
Consuming Flax Seeds
When you wake up in the morning, you can kick the day with a dose of alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) in the form of flax seeds. Just sprinkle some seeds over your cold cereal and eat or stir some flax seeds into hot oatmeal and drink. Another way you can enjoy flax seeds is by adding them to your smoothies for an added protein in your diet.
Making parfait is another great way to consume flax seeds. Combine flax with fruit and yogurt to get a delicious parfait. You can as well use flax seeds with your green salads or protein salads. For example, when preparing egg, chicken, or tuna salad, you can grind some flax seeds and add them to the dressing.
The health benefits of consuming flax seeds
Here are some benefits of flax seeds:
They are full of nutrients
It’s difficult to find a seed that has as many nutrients as flax seeds. It contains Vitamins B1 & B6, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, saturated fat, among others. Interestingly, flax seed derives most of its health benefits from fiber, lignans, and fatty acids that it contains.
Flax Seeds May Reduce Risk of Cancer
The greatest advantage of
flax seeds is that they can help reduce your chances of developing cancer. Flax
seeds contain lignans that have both estrogen and antioxidant properties which
improve general health and lowers the risk of cancer. Interestingly, the amount
of lignans in flax seeds is 800 more than that contained in other seeds or
plant foods.
Flax Seeds Lowers Blood Pressure
Many studies have proved that flax seeds have the capability of lowering blood pressure. When you eat about 30 grams of these seeds every day for 6 months, both your diastolic and systolic blood pressure will go down by 7mmHg and 10 mmHg respectively. If you’re already on blood pressure drugs, flax seeds will help you even further.
Conclusion
Flax seeds are packed with lots of health benefits. The good news is that these seeds are very affordable. There are a variety of ways of incorporating flax seeds into your diet. What can limit you is just your creativity. The seeds are safe to use, and you can use them with many ordinary foods, soups, and snacks.