Ten Amazing Facts about Flaxseed
Flaxseeds (or Linseeds, as they’re sometimes called) are, quite simply, one of the most nutritionally beneficial whole foods you can consume.
It’s no surprise flax is thought of as a ‘superfood’ – there’s a list of benefits to eating these tiny, nutty seeds that’s longer than your arm, and consequently they’ve been growing in reputation and popularity year on year.
Not only do these little seeds fill you with good things, but they also have various unusual properties which make them essential for vegans or anyone following a ‘free from’ diet.
So what is Linseed/Flaxseed? And why should we be sitting up and taking notice of this wonderful ingredient?
Flax seeds are absolutely packed with fibre
Flax seeds contain around 27% fibre, making them one of the finest plant sources of fibre. Fibre is important in the diet as it’s excellent for the friendly bacteria found in the human gut and thereby aids digestion.
Fibre also helps with weight loss and helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
Flax is a superb source of lignans
Flaxseed contains around 75-800 times more lignans than cereal grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Lignans have a chemical structure much like steroids, and have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. An observational study from a few years ago showed that lignans in flaxseed played a part in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
An awesome vegan egg substitute!
Flax is an invaluable tool for the vegan baker as it makes a superb egg substitute. Simply mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Leave it for a quarter of an hour to thicken up, and it can then be used in cakes and bakes in place of one egg!
Flax seeds are protein powerhouses!
There’s around 18 grams of protein in every 100 gram serving of flaxseed, which is even higher than the protein content of chia seeds.
Ground flax is therefore an excellent addition to protein shakes, and can even add extra protein content to a cake or pancake mix.
Flax is excellent for blood sugar
There is evidence that flax reduces blood sugar levels after a meal, and its high soluble fibre content increases insulin levels and improves insulin sensitivity in the body. Because of this, it’s considered a low-glycemic food, meaning it won’t spike your blood sugar, thus making it a wise choice for diabetics and those following a low-GI diet.
If you eat flaxseeds, the high protein content will suppress your appetite and should prevent you from overeating. They’re also low in starch and sugars, meaning they’ll help regulate a steady blood sugar level, preventing the feeling of a ‘sugar crash’ and the attendant drop in energy levels.
Flax seeds are amazingly versatile
Flaxseeds can be munched straight from the packet, or toasted, or easily made into crackers very simply by mixing with water and placing in a dehydrator.
It can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes and is ideal for bread, cakes, biscuits, snack bars and trail mixes.
Flax oil is full of beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids. It provides an excellent boost to the body’s immune system, and helps fight cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and autoimmune and neurological disorders.
And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s also fantastic applied to your hair and skin!
Fill up on healthy Omega fats!
The oil found in flaxseeds is the richest dietary source of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated fats are fantastic at lowering cholesterol and promoting a healthy heart.
Just one tablespoon of ground flax every day will give you all the Omega-3 you need to achieve the recommended amount.
Nutritionally, flax is near-perfect
Flaxseeds are just about the most perfect nutrition you can put into your body. Their fantastic mix of fibre, protein, vitamins, minerals and beneficial fats mean that there are few things that will give your general health more of a boost.
And unlike many other all-round excellent health foods, they’re also incredibly tasty and lots of fun to munch!
Whether you’re looking for golden or brown flaxseeds, in whole, cracked, ground or oil form, we have it all here at Healthy Supplies – check out our huge range of Flax/Linseed here!