8 Amazing Benefits of Flaxseed

Everyone knows flax,

the light fabric that is very pleasant in summer.

But did you know that the same plant

provides seeds full of benefits for the body?

Originally from Eurasia and now grown in many parts of the world,

flaxseed was already used in ancient Egypt

because of their high nutritional qualities.

But this is not the only region in the world to have discovered their virtues, because Chinese medicine has also adopted them and still uses them today.

Rich in omega-3 and 6, vitamins, vegetable proteins, fiber and minerals, flaxseed is very good for your health.

It would be wrong to deprive ourselves of it!

Curious to know more? In this article, we explain their main benefits and how to consume them.

Flaxseed, what are the benefits?

Their nutritional values help to prevent several diseases and to fight against certain daily ills.

Here’s what flax seeds can do for you and your body.

1. It helps prevent certain cancers

According to several studies, regular consumption of flaxseed reduces the risk of getting breast cancer by 20 to 30%. In addition, cancers of the uterus and prostate could also be prevented by flaxseed.

This is mainly due to their richness in lignans, important antioxidants. Indeed, once in the body, lignans are transformed into a replica of estrogen, which are the hormones that stimulate the growth of certain cancers.

But why would taking the form of estrogen that promotes the development of cancer in the body, lignans cause the opposite effect?

Simply because lignans take only the appearance of estrogen, but do not have the same impact on the body.

Now, by playing on this deceitful appearance, the lignans succeed in taking the place of the real estrogen, which is then present in a lesser quantity and thus has less effect.

Because of this, flaxseed also helps to reduce the growth of tumors.

These are not only used to prevent cancer but also to combat it if we face it.

2. It helps fight against bad cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases

The fatty acids found in flaxseed are far more beneficial than you might think because they are mostly omega-3s.

Omega-3s are extremely good for your health. In fact, they reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood while increasing the presence of good cholesterol. In addition, they take care of our blood vessels by promoting their elasticity.

With all this, they help regulate blood pressure. Omega-3s are also helped in their work by the antioxidants and fibers found in flaxseed, which help regulate cholesterol levels and fluidify the blood.

In the end, this helps reduce the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, although the effects of flaxseed in this area have yet to be proven.

For this, it is advisable to consume about 20gr of flax seeds per day. Note, however, that the effects will not be instantaneous. You will have to wait several days, or even weeks, before seeing your cholesterol levels go down.

Also know that, according to one study, the effect of flaxseed on cholesterol in women would be very limited, unlike men. This remains to be proven, but be aware!

3. It improves intestinal transit

Flaxseed is very beneficial for digestion. Armed with laxative properties, they are particularly known for fighting against constipation.

Indeed, they are composed of mucilage, a substance that absorbs water from ingested food to obtain a viscous and soft consistency.

It does not take more to get rid of constipation!

The fiber in flaxseed also plays an important role in the fight against digestive disorders.

But, in addition to improving intestinal transit, they also participate in cleaning the bowel by getting rid of all the toxins and waste that is there.

4. It helps us to lose weight

As we said, flaxseed is rich in omega-3s, which are a form of fat. But you would be wrong to keep them away from your meals if you are dieting! Indeed, omega-3s are good fats. Not only do they provide the body with a lot of things that it needs, but they also help burn the bad fats. However, by killing these, the flaxseed participates in slimming the body.

In addition, the mucilages mentioned in the previous point are also very beneficial in a diet. By absorbing water from food, they swell and take up more space in our stomachs. Result: we feel more quickly satiated, and we eat less!

If you want to use flaxseed as part of a diet, just add a little to your menus. Note that you can also use flaxseed meal, which is easier to add in some dishes and will have the same effect as seeds.

5. It reduces the effects of menopause

According to several studies,

flaxseed helps significantly reduce hot flashes,

which are so symptomatic of menopause.

In addition, researchers have shown that the muscular and joint pains women experience during menopause are reduced by the action of flaxseed.

However, it is important to note that more research needs to be done on the subject to confirm this.

Indeed, existing studies have been conducted only on a limited number of women and, therefore, can’t claim a scientific truth.

In addition, many people wonder if the effects of flaxseed in the context of menopause are not solely due to a placebo effect.

In the meantime, why not add flaxseed to your diet to shape your own opinion?

6. It strengthens the hair

In addition to their health benefits, flax seeds are also used for their cosmetic benefits. They are, first, full of benefits for the hair.

Indeed, flaxseed can be used to promote hair growth and, thus, give volume to the hair. In addition, they strengthen the hair and, thus, make it possible to fight against brittle hair, but also to make it shiny. In short, they help you end dull hair and poor health!

For that, you just need to add 2 to 3 spoons of flaxseed a day in your meals. If you prefer, you can also use them in the shower: pour 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed into half a cup of water, let stand and use the mixture at the same time as your shampoo.

7. It relieves skin problems

Thanks to their richness in omega-3 and 6, flaxseed also has a beneficial effect on our skin and can relieve skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and dry skin. In addition, they also have healing properties that allow them to heal the inflammation of the skin.

For this, you can add to your diet or prepare a poultice of flaxseed that you use on the parts of your skin that you want to relieve. This poultice is quite easy to make: pour 3 to 5 tablespoons of flaxseed ground or crushed in a little boiling water and cook for about ten minutes, mixing well. Then let cool slightly and put the paste obtained on the area to be treated for a few minutes.

8. But still…

Many other benefits are lent to flaxseed. It helps prevent a large number of ailments, such as Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s, asthma, depression, and diabetes.

How to consume flaxseed?

Flaxseed can be bought whole but it is important not to eat them in this form. Indeed, the stomach can not dissolve the seed coat. If you eat it all, the seed will be digested as it is in your digestive system and you will not benefit from it at all.

Before eating, you must grind or crush them. It does not matter, as long as the seed is broken! If you prefer, you can also buy them already ground. However, be aware that they will last much longer than whole grains, which can be stored for one year at room temperature.

Once you have your seeds, you can add them to any dish you want, from yogurt to meatloaf to cake, salad and compote. It’s up to you to find your favorite combinations!

Note, however, that flaxseed is contraindicated in some situations.

Thus, if you are under medical treatment, it is strongly recommended to seek the advice of your doctor before consuming it.

They could actually reduce the effectiveness of your medications or increase their side effects. Also, consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and avoid giving it to your children.

Finally, if you have fragile intestines, start with a small amount of flaxseed and increase your intake gradually, always paying attention to your bowel signals.

So, convinced? Have you ever tasted flaxseed? Let us know in the comments below!