{"id":3281,"date":"2021-03-06T07:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-06T05:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flow.bg\/?p=3281"},"modified":"2021-09-11T11:15:06","modified_gmt":"2021-09-11T09:15:06","slug":"%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%be-%d1%81%d0%b5%d0%bc%d0%b5-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b7%d0%b8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flow.bg\/en\/%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B7%D0%B8\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Health Benefits of Flaxseed"},"content":{"rendered":"
For centuries, flax seeds have been valued for their health benefits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In fact, Charlemagne ordered his subjects to eat flaxseed for their health. Therefore, it is not surprising that they acquired the name Linum usitatissimum, which means "most useful".<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Flaxseeds are now considered a "superfood" as more scientific research points to their health benefits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Here are 10 health benefits of flax seeds<\/a>, which are backed by science.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 1. Flax seeds are loaded with nutrients<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cultivated since the dawn of civilization, flaxseed is one of the oldest crops. There are two types, brown and golden, which are equally nutritious.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A typical serving size for ground flaxseed is 1 tablespoon (7 grams).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains the following (1):<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Calories: 37<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Protein: 1.3 grams<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Carbs: 2 grams<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Fiber: 1.9 grams<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Total Fat: 3 grams<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Saturated fat: 0.3 grams<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Monounsaturated fat: 0.5 grams<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Polyunsaturated fat: 2.0 grams<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Omega-3 fatty acids: 1,597 mg<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Vitamin B1: 8% by RDI<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Vitamin B6: 2% by RDI<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Folate: 2% from RDI<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Calcium: 2% from RDI<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Iron: 2% by RDI<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Magnesium: 7% from RDI<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Phosphorus: 4% from RDI<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Potassium: 2% from RDI<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Interestingly, the health benefits of flaxseeds are mainly due to the omega-3 fatty acids, lignans and fiber they contain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 2. Flaxseeds are high in Omega-3 fats<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you're a vegetarian or don't eat fish, flaxseeds may be your best source of omega-3 fats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n They are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a predominantly plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n ALA is one of two essential fatty acids that you must get from the food you eat because your body does not make them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 3. Flaxseeds are a rich source of lignans, which may reduce the risk of cancer<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Lignans are plant compounds that have antioxidant and estrogenic properties, both of which may help reduce cancer risk and improve health.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Interestingly, flax seeds contain up to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Studies show that those who eat flax seeds have a lower risk of breast cancer, especially postmenopausal women.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 4. Flaxseeds are rich in dietary fiber<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Just one tablespoon of flaxseed contains 3 grams of fiber, which is 8\u201312% of the recommended daily intake.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Moreover, flaxseed contains two types of dietary fiber \u2013 soluble (20\u201340%) and insoluble (60\u201380%).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This duo fiber is fermented by bacteria in the colon, bulking up stool and leading to more regular bowel movements.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On the one hand, soluble fiber increases the consistency of intestinal contents and slows down the rate of digestion. It has been shown to help regulate blood sugar and lower cholesterol.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On the other hand, insoluble fiber allows more water to bind to the stool, increasing its bulk and resulting in softer stools. This is useful for preventing constipation and for those who have irritable bowel syndrome or diverticular disease.<\/p>\r\n 5. Flaxseeds can improve cholesterol<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Another health benefit of flaxseeds is their ability to lower cholesterol levels.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In one study in people with high cholesterol, consuming 3 tablespoons (30 grams) of flaxseed per day for three months lowered total cholesterol by 17% and "bad" LDL cholesterol by nearly 20%.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Another study of people with diabetes found that taking 1 tablespoon (10 grams) of flaxseed per day for one month led to a 12% increase in "good" HDL cholesterol.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In postmenopausal women, consuming 30 grams of flaxseed daily lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by approximately 7% and 10%, respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n These effects appear to be due to the fiber in flaxseed, as it binds to bile salts and is then excreted by the body.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n To replenish these bile salts, cholesterol is pulled from the blood into the liver. This process lowers blood cholesterol levels.<\/p>\r\n
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