Why Are Flax Seeds the Superfood of Choice?

Long before the New Gen fad diets plans and fitness trends, there was flaxseed. It created an early food movement and gained huge popularity for its nutritional value. As newer and trendier superfoods started to pop up every now and then, flax seeds fell off the wagon. However, these days people have started picking up on the benefits and the amazing nutritional value packed in flaxseeds. It has in fact become a must have in the grocery list of fitness enthusiasts and health conscious individuals. 

If you look closely, you will see flaxseeds appearing in many places in the supermarket. It is there in the breads, cereals, or even in some healthy breakfast mixtures. It is also an ingredient in some of the snacks. So, it's likely that you are already eating some flax seeds now and then.

What Are Flax Seeds?

 

Flaxseeds are harvested from the perennial Linum Usitatissimum plant. According to the studies, flaxseeds might have originated in Egypt, but now grown all over the world. As the fiber of the plant is very strong, it was also traditionally used for making clothes. Although tiny in size, flaxseeds are nutritional powerhouses that provide great health advantages in small packages.

Nutritional Profile of Flaxseeds

Most people get fooled with the small size of flaxseeds. They pack a big nutritional punch, where just 1 tablespoon of flax seeds contain the below nutrients:

 
As flaxseeds are well rounded in its overall macronutrients, it can be a great dietary choice for many. These seeds have a good composition of carbs, protein and fat. In fact, it has a notable source of ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid), which is a type of omega 3 unsaturated fatty acid important for the body. Researches have shown that consuming more ALA rich foods can promote your heart health and lessen the risk of premature death. The heart benefits of ALA is mainly due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Flax seeds are also considered as one of the richest sources of lignans. The polyphenols found in these seeds may reduce the risk of hormone related cancers like breast cancer and even heart disease. These lignans also have antioxidant properties.

Health Benefits of Including Flaxseeds

The health benefits offered by flaxseeds are unlimited. They supply an abundant amount of dietary fiber, which is a crucial nutrient. In fact, almost all the carbohydrates in the flax seeds are in the form of fiber. Most people struggle to get enough fiber in their diet. So including flax seeds in your diet can be a game changer. These seeds are abundant in soluble fiber. 

The soluble fibers in flaxseeds increase the feeling of satiety and helps with bowel motility. According to the experts, if you consume it on a regular basis, it can also lower the LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in your body. It also enhances the performance of the gut microbiome. Studies have also shown that higher intake of soluble fiber will cut down the risk of colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disorder. 

Flax seeds can also help with weight loss with its hunger smashing properties. Studies have shown a reduction in the body weight and waist circumference in many who included 30 grams of these seeds in their diet. However, if you are consuming such quantities, you may have to displace other calories from your diet.

Flaxseeds also have the ability to lower the cholesterol levels, blood sugar and blood pressure. This is mainly due to the combination of healthy fat, fiber, and lignans present in these seeds. If you look above, you will understand how including flaxseeds in your diet can sharpen your health. 

Consuming in Moderation

As flaxseeds are high in fiber, it is important to consume them in moderation, especially if you are not used to eating fiber rich foods. You should also reduce the intake of other high fiber foods when including flaxseeds in your diet or snack routine. Additionally, take plenty of liquid when eating high fiber foods. This will help your body with smooth digestion and usher it through the digestive system. 

Healthy and Guilt Free Flaxseed Snack

If you are looking for some creative snacks to supply necessary flaxseeds to your body, the curated snacks provided by Healthy Master can be the right choice. You will find different types of snacks and food products in the store that contain flaxseeds. Some of the most popular choices are roasted flaxseed khakhras, wheat mathris with flaxseeds, pocket khakhras with flaxseeds and many more. This will help you to consume flaxseeds without you even knowing it. 

You can also buy premium quality roasted flaxseeds from the store. There are also many other healthy and nutritious products in the store that can help you to watch your health even while snacking. You will find detailed information on the recipes, ingredients, health benefits and more on each product. This will help you to make an informed decision and choose the best snacks for your needs. 

Closing Thoughts 

Although flaxseeds are not something that you should be eating as a main ingredient, they can be added to most dishes. You can add it in your salad, smoothies, or even in some of the main course dishes. However, as mentioned above, as they are high in fiber, it is important to consume them in moderation.