Flaxseed is highly prized seed for its impressive nutritional profile and health incentives. It is scientifically termed as Linum usitatissimum which denotes the “most useful” seed and also known as common flax, linseed oil or linseed. In olden days, flaxseed was majorly used to manufacture linen fabric in Western Countries, used for weaving bed sheets, underclothes and table linen.

Flaxseed is a winter plant which grows up to 1.2m tall with lean stem bearing a pure pale blue flower. The fruit is round-shaped with several brown glossy seeds embedded which are shaped like an apple pie. It is mainly cultivated as a commercial crop in European, Mediterranean and North American regions.

In India it is cultivated in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is known by several vernacular names such as Alsi in Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tishi in Bengali, Agasi in Kannada, Aviselu in Telugu, Ali vidai in Tamil and Cheruchana vithu in Malayalam.

Flaxseed is available in two varieties based on their colour brown and yellow linseed. Both the varieties have a more or less similar nutritional profile, however, the yellow flaxseed oil contains very less amount of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid. Brown flaxseeds are used to produce a vegetable oil called linseed oil or flaxseed oil, it is obtained by pressing and solvent extraction process. Yellow flaxseed oil is mostly used in paints, fibre and cattle feed.

Flax is usually cultivated for its seeds, which is ground into a meal or pressed into linseed oil or turned into a nutritional supplement or as timber in wood products. Flax fibres are used to make linen which is two to three times stronger as cotton fibres.

These nutty-tasting seeds are shiny, brown in colour with an earthy aroma and hard and crunchy outer layer offers you with a ton of health benefits. Linseed is now valued as a superfood thanks to its impressive nutritional profile. It is widely used as a key ingredient in a variety of foods and as a supplement.

Nutritional Facts

Linseeds are bestowed with vast reserves of nutrients, a serving of linseeds one tablespoon offer you 37 calories, 1.3 g of proteins, 1.9g of fibre and loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, lignans, Vitamins B1, B2, folate and essential minerals like calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. These mighty seeds are an incredible source of soluble fibre mucilaginous which can effectively lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and regulate blood sugar spikes. A noteworthy amount of lignans in flax seeds help in maintaining hormone balance and also acts like hunger suppressant and keep you satiated for longer time and assists in losing weight. An abundance of omega 3 fatty acids content helps to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The immense amount of nutrients present in flaxseed include essential fatty acids, dietary fibre, antioxidants, protein, lignans which offer to lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Moreover, flaxseed is been an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine for many years. Nowadays, flaxseeds are largely available in the form of powder, tablets, capsules and consumed as dietary supplements to avert the risk of chronic diseases.

Therapeutic Incentives Of Flaxseeds

Prevents Cancer

The goodness of omega 3 fatty acids in flaxseeds hinders the growth of cancer cell formation and its development. Studies have proven that consuming oils rich in omega 3 fatty acids shields the body against breast cancer and prostate cancers. Flaxseeds with a plentiful amount of lignans exhibit antiangiogenic properties and stop tumour growth. The lignans content in flaxseeds 800 times higher than any other foods. Moreover, adding flaxseeds as part of a healthy diet regularly is valuable in averting the risk of various types of cancers.

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Promotes Heart Health

Being essentially rich in both soluble and insoluble fibre, phytosterols and Omega 3 fatty acids flaxseeds can greatly improve heart health and are one of the best foods that lower blood pressure. The richness of lignans lower triglycerides level, reduce inflammation and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. This, in turn, eases the flow of blood and other food substances via the tubular structures in the circulatory system – arteries and veins. Hence, the normal blood pressure range of 110/70 to 139/89 is maintained in the system. Furthermore, phytosterols play a key role in lowering LDL cholesterol and prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.

Regulates Blood sugar

The presence of ample amounts of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre and lignans in flaxseeds decrease insulin resistance and lower the risk of prediabetes and stabilize blood sugar levels. Regular addition of flaxseeds in the diet remarkably improves insulin sensitivity, controls blood pressure and delayed the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

Also Read: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The two vital nutrients lignans and alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) in flaxseeds possess powerful anti-inflammatory effects and lower inflammation associated with Parkinson’s and asthma by blocking the secretions of pro-inflammatory agents. In addition, it also lowers the inflammation in the plaque buildup arteries i.e. atherosclerosis and averts the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Menopause Health

Several studies have shown that ground flaxseed mixed with cereals or curd when consumed twice daily remarkably lowered the intensity of hot flushes in women during menopause within two weeks. This is attributed to the presence of phytoestrogens which mimics the work of estrogen hormones and compensates for the loss of estrogen hormones during menopause and reduces other PMS symptoms.

Stimulates Digestive Health

The essence of soluble and insoluble fibre in linseeds is attributed to act as a digestive aid. A serving of this seed provides 3grams of fibre which meets 12% of dietary fibre allowance for normal adults. The richness of fibre increases the bulk and result in smooth passage of stools, thereby preventing constipation and also assists those with irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease. Adding this fibre-rich seeds in the diet is known to regularise bowel movements and enhance digestive health.

Manages Weight

Linseeds are a plant-based source of proteins, rich in amino acids arginine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. A teaspoon of linseeds provides you with needed protein and dietary fibre which helps to suppress the appetite, control unwanted hunger pangs, prevents you from overeating, increases the feeling of fullness and thereby assists in shedding extra calories and fat. It is recommended to have 2-4 tablespoons of flaxseeds per day for effective weight loss.

Flaxseeds Oil Benefits for Skin and Hair Health

Flaxseeds are bestowed with a wealth of nutrients that are known to uplift skin health and beauty. Strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory traits of these seeds help to manage acne, rashes, and skin irritation. Aside from this, the goodness of vitamin E content supports delay signs of ageing, removes dead cells from the skin and make you look nourished and youthful.

Most of us suffer hair damage caused due to pollutants and harmful exposure to chemicals. Flaxseeds works wonders in strengthening hair follicles and moisturising the scalp thereby adding volume and lustre to the mane. Applying flax seeds oil regularly helps in combatting dandruff and reducing hair loss.

Remedies Carpel Tunnel syndrome

Carpel tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by persistent pressure on a nerve in the arm that results in numbness, pain, swelling of the wrist, palm, and fingers. A study revealed that topical application of flaxseed oil has positive effects in easing symptoms and pain associated with carpel tunnel syndrome.

Contraindication

Flaxseeds are generally considered safe for adults when consumed in smaller amounts. However, adding too much of flaxseeds in the diet may cause gastrointestinal side effects like bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, nausea, cramping, constipation and diarrhoea.

Conclusion:

Flaxseed with a profuse nutritional content is one of the valuable seeds to be added in the diet to reap its innumerable health benefits. The wellness incentives of flaxseeds include prevent cancers, lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke and regulates the blood sugar levels to mention a few.