Flaxseed is one of the ‘health and wellness’ seeds that you will find at the Prince Ebeano Supermarket’s stores.
It is a functional food that is usually available at the Food and Condiments section of our stores in Abuja and Lagos State.
Largely produced in the Americas, flaxseed has enormous health benefits. These health benefits emphasise the need for you to add it to your diet.
Food has remained man’s most remarkable source of energy, however, the right diet is required for you to stay healthy.
Flaxseed is of different species and they are growing in prominence and importance because of their health benefits.
Nutritional Value
Interestingly, the seed is rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA omega-3 fatty acid), lignans and fiber.
These components make it a darling to people who have discovered ways of adding it to their meals.
Meanwhile, before we highlight the health benefits of this seed, we will take a good look at the seed and why it works magic.
The Latin name of the flaxseed is Linum usitatissimum, and it means “very useful”.
According to a 2014 study, every part of the flaxseed plant is utilised commercially either directly or after processing.
The stem yields good quality fibers having high strength and durability.
More so, the research emphasised that in the last two decades, flaxseed has been the focus of increased interest in the field of diet and disease research.
Health Benefits Of Flaxseed
This is because of the potential health benefits associated with some of its biologically active components.
Here is the nutrition fact.
It is of different varieties – brown and yellow or golden, – but they are largely with the same nutritional value.
Only a yellow flax called solin has a different oil profile.
Having identified what flaxseeds are like, we will focus on the health benefits for both women and men.
Flaxseeds are rich source of Omega-3 fatty acid: α-linolenic acid (ALA), short chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), soluble and insoluble fibers, phytoestrogenic lignans (secoisolariciresinol diglycoside-SDG).
Also, these seeds are rich in proteins and an array of antioxidants.
These properties are the reasons flaxseeds offer the under listed benefits to you.
1. Lowers Risk Of Heart Disease
Flaxseed is the richest plant source of the Omega-3 fatty acid and very low in saturated fatty acids (6 % per gram).
It also has moderate monosaturated fatty acids and rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid.
The fiber, phytosterols, and lignans in flaxseed help improve heart health.
This combination makes its oil extract great for persons who are at risk of having heart issues.
Phytosterols are molecules that are similar in structure to cholesterol, but they help prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.
The clogging of the arteries by droplets of bad fat Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol has been identified as a contributory factor to high blood pressure.
2. Reduce Menopausal Symptoms
Women who are in the early stage of menopause often experience hot flashes and night sweats, but flaxseed can help reduce these symptoms.
The 2014 study mentioned earlier also highlighted that flaxseeds could help in this regard.
3. Reduces Growth Of Tumour And Cancer
Men who are at risk of prostate cancer can add flaxseeds to their diet. One way to do this is to roast with low heat and blend it to powder form or add to sauce the way they are.
Lignans are common within the plant kingdom and are present in almost all plants. They act as both antioxidants and phytoestrogens.
Have you read: Almond Seeds: 5 Reasons They Should Be In Your Diet
“Flax contains up to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods,” a research says.
Flax lignans have shown promising effects in reducing growth of cancerous tumors, especially hormone-sensitive ones such as those of the breast, endometrium and prostate.
Research in laboratories has shown that flaxseed inhibits the formation of colon, breast, skin, and lung tumors.
It also reduces blood vessel cell formation in female rats.
Interestingly, all of these suggest a protective effect against breast, colon and ovarian cancer.
5. Good For Detoxification
The Omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed also makes it a good anti-inflammatory food.
Daily, you are exposed to pollution and other components in foods you eat that could bring toxin into your system.
Sadly, most of these toxins do not go out except conscious efforts are made to remove them.
This makes adding flaxseed, which we have in our stores, to your diet a good idea.
For instance, due to the anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 fatty acids, it has been suggested that these nutrients may protect the kidneys from damage in adults.
6. Boosts Immune System
Interesting also to note is the fact that flax protein, which helps in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, also supports the immune system.
Flaxseed contains bioactive peptides, such as cyclolinopeptide A, which have strong immunosuppressive and antimalarial activities, inhibiting the human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum in culture.
Because of the positive effect of this Omega-3 fatty acids, governments and public health authorities in the Western world recommend increasing it in diet.
7. May Lower Blood Sugar Level
According to a 2011 study, the dietary fibers, lignans, and Omega-3 fatty acids, present in flaxseed have a protective effect against diabetes risk.
It highlighted that supplementation of diet of type 2 diabetics with 10 g of flaxseed powder for a period of 1 month reduced fasting blood glucose by 19.7 % and glycated hemoglobin by 15.6 %.
Please, share this article with your friends and loved ones to increase awareness of this functional food.
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