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| Health Benefits of Flaxseeds |
Flax seeds ---Yes the greatest of all
seeds that does wonders when taken in. You might be wondering how small seeds
can make a big difference, but YES these are small seeds with great
potential to supplement us in a multitude way. Hope you might be very much familiar
with these flax-seeds. Traditionally flax seeds were being used in cuisines in
Asia, Africa and America because of great source of nutritional and health
benefits these seeds possess. These seeds are rich source of alpha linolenic
acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans. The presence of these components
collectively fight many ailments and diseases in humans, including Heart
diseases, Inflammation, arthritis, allergies, diabetes, asthma, Flaxseed also
reduces the risk of various Cancers and improves reproductive health in women. As
flax seeds are a good source of fiber and vitamins, the consumption of these
seeds will keep heart, intestine, eyes, skin, and hair.
Trust me those who read this article
will definitely start eating flax seeds.(for more tips on health click Healthy tips
Lets us look at each aspect of health benefit that is brought by
consuming Flax seeds, here we go…….
Excellent Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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| Flaxseeds Heart Health |
Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, second only to fish
oil. Omega-3 fatty acid is the most active agent that fights inflammation in
the body. Inflammation is a leading cause of heart diseases, asthma, allergies,
diabetes, and even certain cancers.
Presence of Phytochemicals
The presence of abundant
phytochemicals in flaxseed brings in the antioxidant activity in the seeds,
which are the main agents in preventing and fighting against cancer. Also,
flaxseed is a rich source of lignans, which convert into chemicals that balance
female hormones in the body. There is evidence that lignans aid reproductive
health, prevent menopausal symptoms, and counter the effects of type-2
diabetes.
Rich in Fiber
Flaxseeds are rich sources of
fiber, both soluble and insoluble types. While soluble fiber helps to maintain
proper gastrointestinal functions, insoluble fiber plays a vital role in
keeping the heart healthy by lowering serum LDL cholesterol levels. This
property of flaxseed also helps in maintaining normal blood sugar levels for
people suffering from diabetes.
Planning for a weight loss Diet then here’s a beneficial for Dieters
Flaxseed forms an essential part of many diet programmers, since it
keeps blood sugar levels in check. Due to its richness in fiber, it keeps the
stomach full and avoids the intake of surplus calories through overeating.
Decreases Pre-Menopausal Symptoms
One of flaxseed’s essential
components is the presence of lignans which can be used as an alternative to
hormone replacement therapy due to their estrogenic properties.
Prevents Osteoporosis and Cardiovascular Diseases
Due to its estrogenic properties, the lignans in flaxseed reduce the
risk of developing osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases in menopausal
women.
Boosts Immunity
The alpha linolenic acid and the lignans which are
present in the flaxseed boost the immune response in the body and prevent
against inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and the
autoimmune disorder like lupus (What is LUPUS?)
Aids Digestion
Being rich in fibre these seeds act as natural laxative
How to Use Flaxseed
Flaxseeds can easily be mixed with
other foods since it hardly has a flavour and is very mild in taste. It is an
excellent substitute for vegetable oils. The seeds can be eaten raw by mixing
it with salads, cereals and yogurt. It can also be popped like popcorn. The
seeds can be combined with fruit juices and smoothies without altering the
taste of flavour of the fruits.
Here are some of the different ways
in which flaxseeds can be used.
Boiled Flax Seeds
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| Boiling Flaxseeds in water |
Flax seeds can be boiled with hot
cereals and soups. However, very small quantities must be used for boiling
since excessive use of seeds can produce a kind of slime and an unpleasant taste.
Grinding Flax Seeds
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| Grinding Flaxseeds |
By consuming ground flax seed you can derive maximum health benefits
from it. For grinding simply put the seeds in a blender or a coffee grinder.
Mix the powdered seeds in any recipe of your choice in moderate quantity.
Raw Flax Seeds
Raw flax seeds give a soft crunch
and nutty taste to foods. However when eaten raw it must be chewed thoroughly
failing which it will get ejected from the body undigested. This essentially
amounts to eating the seeds without deriving its nutritive benefits.
Flax seeds are indeed wonder seeds.
However, it is not advisable to consume it in large quantities or by people
suffering from allergies of any kind. You must always start eating a small
quantity of the seeds to begin with. Half or a quarter teaspoon will suffice
for experimenting initially.
You must watch out for a few days
and look for signs of allergic reactions or other gastrointestinal problems
which the seeds may cause after consumption.
Stay Healthy and spread Healthy news .
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Thanks for sharing an informative blog. It was very helpful. Read more at Flaxseed Oil Capsules
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