Should I be eating flaxseeds?

What is the best way to store them?

Flax seeds are highly essential source of essential fats and should be a part of everyone’s diet. Flax seeds have been valued for their health-protective properties since ancient times.

Flaxseed or linseed comes from the flax plant, which is an annual herb that originated in the Middle East thousands of years ago. It was especially used by the ancient Egyptians as both food and medicine.

Benefits of flax seeds

Flaxseed has been associated with several health benefits including improved digestion and a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

It is a necessary source of high-quality protein and soluble fiber and has significant potential as a source of phenolic compounds.

If you struggle with PCOS or excessive body weight (particularly a pear-shaped bodyweight around the hips), you could be dealing with something called ‘estrogen dominance.

Flaxseeds help get rid of the ‘dirty estrogens’ from the body besides providing healthy fats. They also help reduce triglyceride levels and total overall cholesterol.

How do you consume flax seeds?

Now, flax seeds are very tiny, and hence a lot of times, they might not really be absorbed by the digestive system. It can consequently make its way right out of your body without leaving any of its benefits.

Therefore, the best way to consume flax seeds is in crushed/ powdered form. By crushing them, you increase its surface area so that it is better digested by the body.

But another thing to remember while making the flax seeds powder is its storage. Make sure that the powder is either stored in an air-tight container or refrigerated.

This is because the flax seeds powder tends to oxidize really quickly which is not healthy.

In my experience, what you can do is powder up the flax seeds for 5 to 7 days and use them 1 tablespoon every day in your daily foods.

Refrigerate and store the crushed seeds for those 5 to 7 days and try to finish them up in that time span.

What does science say?

Flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents of ALA, omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, and fiber. There have also been various studies that reviewed its potential benefits.

A study published in 2014 is significant in this regard. ‘Flaxseed— a potential functional food source’ discussed the functional properties and health benefits of bioactive molecules i.e., the essential fatty acids, lignans, and dietary fiber present in flaxseeds.

The study revealed that the flaxseed constituents provide disease preventive and therapeutic benefits.

Make sure to limit it to 1 to 2 tbsp every day through your diet.

Trust this helps,

Roshni Sanghvi.