10 healthy reasons to add flaxseed to your diet |
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Flaxseed is one of the oldest foods consumed by humans and is considered to be one of the world's first cultivated superfoods. Its nutritional value provides many health benefits.
Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, soluble and insoluble fiber, protein, vitamin B1, magnesium, zinc and selenium.
Many people prefer flaxseed due to its pleasant nutty taste and as a valuable gluten-free alternative.
Its nutritional and cosmetic benefits have been recognized since ancient times, which should encourage you to discover the numerous health benefits of this nutritious plant.
Therefore, if you still haven't incorporated flaxseed into your diet, we suggest ten healthy reasons to do so today.
Health benefits of flaxseed
1) Protects against cardiovascular disease
Due to the abundance of healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed offers unique heart-healthy benefits and helps promote your cardiovascular health.
Many studies have shown that people who eat foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) may have a lower risk of fatal heart disease.
Flaxseed protects against cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks, significantly influences heart attack recovery and aids in the prevention of heart disease.
Flaxseed also helps reduce the build-up of plague in the arteries as well as an inflammation that promotes hardening of the blood vessels.
2) Eases menopausal symptoms
A 2013 study has shown that the chemical compounds found in flaxseed, known as lignans, have estrogenic properties that can be very effective in reducing menopausal symptoms. They may help reduce hot flashes, mood disturbances and vaginal dryness.
The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that women take 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed 2 or 3 times per day to treat menopausal symptoms.
Flaxseed may even help menstruating women maintain a regular cycle as well as promote fertility.
3) Lowers bad LDL cholesterol
A 2010 study has found that regular intake of flaxseed may help reduce bad LDL cholesterol in your body.
Researchers have shown that daily consumption of 100mg of flaxseed can be effective at reducing blood cholesterol levels as well as lowering the risk of liver disease in men with moderately high levels of cholesterol.
Flaxseed also contains soluble fiber that helps prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the body. To help lower your LDL cholesterol, consume 2 to 4 teaspoons of ground flaxseed daily.
4) Promotes weight loss
The main components in flaxseed that aid weight loss are healthy fats (omega-3 essential fatty acids) and fiber.
Additionally, flaxseed contains B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and potassium, which are also essential in weight loss.
They help suppress your appetite and help you stay satisfied and fueled for a longer time.
Flaxseed also reduces inflammation, which is important for weight loss because it has been found that an inflamed body will tend to hold on to excess weight.
For this purpose, use whole flaxseed rather than the ground one. Sprinkle it on your salads, soups, yogurt, smoothies or any vegetable or mixed juice.
5) Reduces cancer risk
Recent studies published by the American Institute for Cancer Research indicate that flaxseed is effective against breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian and colon cancer.
The high levels of lignans found in flaxseed protect against cancer by blocking enzymes involved in hormone metabolism and responsible for the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Both ground flexseed and flexseed oil are high in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that is especially beneficial against cancer.
You can add ground flexseed to yogurt or a smoothie. Add flaxseed oil to salad dressings and baked goods.
6) Stabilizes blood sugar levels
Daily intake of flaxseed may improve blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Consequently, flaxseed protects patients suffering from diabetes against kidney failure and reduces the risk of heart disease.
Flaxseed may be used along with your medicines for controlling diabetes.
You may add flaxseed to soups, salads or vegetable juices and smoothies.
7) Improves digestive health
Due to the abundance of fiber, essential for a healthy digestive system, flaxseed offers numerous health benefits to your digestive health.
It may help smooth passage of food through the intestines as well as improve intestinal absorption of nutrient intakes.
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil also work as natural laxatives and can alleviate bloating and constipation. When consuming flaxseed, make sure to drink a good amount of water to replace lost fluids.
If you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease, you should avoid flaxseed because of their laxative effect.
8) Detoxifies your body
These small seeds act as a great natural remedy that aids your body to cleanse, detoxify and flush out toxins and bad cholesterol. They are also very liver-friendly and extremely beneficial for your digestive tract.
Flaxseed boosts your immune system and help alleviate symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, weakness, inflammation and congestion, which all occur as a result of toxic build-up in your body.
You can use both flaxseed and flaxseed oil for detoxification, as they are equally effective in ridding your body of toxic chemicals.
Soak 1 tablespoon of flaxseed in a cup of water overnight. The next morning eat both the seeds and jelly like liquid. Repeat daily for two weeks.
To cleanse your body naturally, you may also add 1 tablespoon of flaxseed to any green detox smoothie.
9) Strengthens your hair and promotes healthy hair growth
If your hair is thin, weak and lifeless, breaks off easily or falls out, you should definitely include flaxseed in your regular diet.
Flaxseed's omega-3 fatty acids nourish your hair follicles to make them shiny, strong and healthy, whereas vitamin E provides nourishment to the hair roots, shafts and the scalp.
It also helps treat hair loss, prevents baldness, encourages healthy hair growth and stimulates hair regeneration.
Flaxseed can even help people recover from psoriasis-related hair loss or other disease-related hair conditions.
Those with curly and frizzy hair may prepare a homemade natural hair gel by boiling flaxseed in water and letting the gel cool and solidify before applying it to the scalp.
10) Keeps your skin hydrated and toned and removes wrinkles
Both flaxseed and flaxseed oil may be used as natural remedies to treat a wide range of skin conditions. Flaxseed's healthy fats and B vitamins are especially beneficial for the skin.
Flaxseed can help reduce dryness and flakiness, soothe skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema and skin allergies and alleviate sunburn pain.
Due to its profound anti-inflammatory properties, flaxseed may effectively treat skin irritation, rashes, tissue inflammation and redness. It may also speed up healing of skin wounds.
As an abundant source of nutrients, flaxseed helps keep your skin hydrated, smooth, youthful and wrinkle-free.
For glowing, smooth and healthy skin, add flaxseed to salad, fruit juices, vegetable juices, smoothies, detox drinks and other foods on a daily basis.
You may also make your own homemade lotion – mix flaxseed oil with two drops of your favourite essential oil and apply to your face and body as a natural moisturizer.
Precautions:
When consuming flaxseed, make sure to drink plenty of water, as it may otherwise cause gastrointestinal side effects.
Do not take large amounts of flaxseed, as it may cause intestinal obstruction.
People taking blood-thinning medications should consult their doctor before taking flaxseed.
Sources:
[url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov[/url]
[url=http://www.top10homeremedies.com]http://www.top10homeremedies.com[/url]
[url=http://www.webmd.com]http://www.webmd.com[/url]
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