Flaxseeds are small brown or golden seeds that you often find sprinkled on salads or porridge. But don’t let their diminutive stature fool you. They’re an absolute nutritional powerhouse and probably one of the healthiest foods that you can eat.
In this post, we take a look at the somewhat unbelievable benefits this tiny, humble food offers.
They Are Loaded With Nutrients
Perhaps the most obvious quality of flax seeds is that they come loaded with nutrients. Each serving contains multiple minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Plus, it is one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. It also comes with a host of phytonutrients - such as lignans - and, unlike many other nuts, a large amount of fiber too.
They May Reduce Cancer Risk
The idea that you could reduce cancer risk by eating something healthy still feels a little alien to many of us. We’re used to the medical narrative that cancer is something that just happens to people as they get older.
But new research is showing that this view of cancer isn’t true. Cancer requires specific conditions to get started in the body. So if you can adjust these, then your risk of getting the disease will go down.
They May Help Prevent Hearing Loss
Flax seeds are well known for their ability to improve cholesterol levels in people who are in the upper range. For instance, taking just one tablespoon per day was enough to lower bad cholesterol by around 17 percent.
Low cholesterol is important for the ears because small blood vessels serve them, just like the rest of the body. Hearing loss can progress if these blood vessels become clogged and can no longer feed the listening structures of the inner ear.
They May Lower Blood Pressure
Did you know that high blood pressure is the leading cause of mortality worldwide? Many people are surprised to learn that. What’s more, the only medical way to get it down is to go on blood-pressure-lowering drugs. And these often come with unpleasant side effects.
Fortunately, flax seed offers an alternative. These incredible little seeds when taken regularly over a long period of time - usually six months - can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels by up to 10 mmHg. You can also combine flax seeds with medication and hibiscus tea to reduce blood pressure even further.
They May Lower Blood Sugar
Lastly, flax seeds may also lower blood sugar levels, helping to stave off conditions like diabetes. This may be due to their high fiber content. Research shows that the more insoluble fiber people eat, the slower glucose enters their bloodstream. Diabetics told to eat flaxseed powder every day for a month saw their fasting blood sugar levels return to nearly normal.
*contributed post*
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