What even is Flaxseed? Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods. Flaxseed is a plant-based food that provides healthful fat, antioxidants, and fiber. It is often referred to as a “functional food”, meaning it is a food that can boost your health.
Flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components; it owes its primary healthy reputation to the following:
- Flaxseed contains Omega-3 essential fatty acids, “good fats”, which have been shown to have heart-healthy effects.
1 Tablespoon of ground flaxseed= 1.8g of Omega-3s
- Flaxseed contains both insoluble and soluble fiber, which is often lacking in our diets
- Flaxseed is rich in Antioxidants that remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals often lead to cell damage or disease
- Flaxseed contains Phytosterols which prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines, reducing the “bad” cholesterol in the body
Flaxseed is available in many different forms. You can find it in oils, powder, tablets, capsules, and flour. The recommended daily amounts are:
- Ground (one tablespoon per day)
- Oil (one to three tablespoons per day)
- Capsule (1,300-3,000mg per day)
Ground flaxseed is the most common form consumed, here are a few ways you can incorporate it into your diet:
- Add it to cereals, smoothies, soups, salads, sandwiches, yogurt, etc.
- You can add a spoonful of flaxseed to coat chicken, instead of breadcrumbs!
- Add a spoonful to a muffin mix
Good news! Over the past couple of years, demand for Flaxseed in the US has increased, thus increasing the production of flax-based products. Next time you go to the grocery store see what forms of flaxseed are available for you!
Resource: Medical News Today (2020, January 9) How Healthful is Flaxseed? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263405#nutrition
