With the publication of new research on their properties or positive effects on health, certain products and foods are becoming popular. This is the case with flaxseed flour (also called flaxseed or flax), a food rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fats and dietary fiber.
Would you like to know more about its composition and the characteristics and benefits of taking flaxseed powder?
What is flaxseed meal?
The seeds are extracted from the flax plant to obtain linseed oil or linseed flour, a food that stands out for its content of Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids.
Two can be distinguished: golden linseed and brown linseed. The former is rich in ohttps://youtu.be/zQfIjAr_7aImega-3, omega-6, and omega-9, while the latter contains only omega-3.
The reason why it has become such a popular product is due to its nutritional properties, which is why its consumption is good for your health. This is due to its chemical composition, in which dietary fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids and phytochemicals dominate.
100 grams of flaxseed contains approximately 500-600 kcal, as well as different amounts of fats (saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), proteins, hydrates, fiber, magnesium and calcium. If you want to know where to get it, you can see the guide to the best gluten-free flours
Properties and benefits of flaxseed
- Reduce cholesterol (total cholesterol and low-density or “bad” lipoproteins) and high blood pressure.
- It improves the digestive tract with constipation, diarrhea or an upset stomach.
- It is a source of vitamin B6, folic acid, thiamine, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Regulates blood sugar levels
- Helps protect gut microbes, facilitating nutrient absorption.
- They recommend using it to treat the effects of menopause because it contains flavonoids.
This powder can have side effects, especially for those who do not consume fiber every day. In addition, high doses can cause intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain, nausea and even vomiting.
All people with illnesses such as diabetes or schizophrenia should also pay special attention. In these cases, and the content of fatty acids is low, it is best to consult a doctor to choose the best treatment, since the consumption of flaxseed may not be the best option.
Finally, its laxative effect produced by linoleic acid, is known as a seed that makes it thin and reaches its maximum effect when it comes into contact with water. The truth is, you won’t lose weight by adding flaxseed to your salad. At this point, we already know the secret of weight loss, everything happens with a healthy and balanced diet, physical exercise every day and elimination of foods rich in calories every day.
Flaxseed can be used in three different ways
Linseed meal
This is a very comfortable way of eating, because the grain is crushed, thus improving the absorption of nutrients and fiber. You can use it to make flax bread, fish meal, and even for juice, salad, yogurt, or fruit.
How to take flaxseed?
Flax seeds. Since the intestines cannot digest the shells, they must be peeled. This makes it a more uncomfortable way to consume flaxseed. However, you can use a coffee grinder to grind at home, but remember to do this within four days. The correct way to eat seeds is to put a tablespoon of seeds in water and then put them in the water for several hours. They can then be added to yogurt and eaten.
Linseed oil
Perhaps this is the best way to benefit from the omega-3 and omega-6 contained in the seeds, because the oil is extracted using a specially designed method.
You can buy flaxseed oil in capsules, but it would not be as good as consuming it directly, all this loses many properties due to its encapsulation process. Also, you should consult a nutritionist before taking such supplements or any other supplement.