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Friday 11 December 2015

Flax Seeds : Reasons to Eat Them and How to Use Them


"Flax seeds have so many wonderful health properties, it’s hard not to fall in love with these crunchy little seeds. Here are just 8 reasons why you should incorporate them into your diet:

1. Say Hello To Smoother Skin And Glossy Hair.
Healthy fats, B vitamins, and an array of minerals in flax seeds help your hair and skin stay in gorgeous condition. A tablespoon or two a day can help to reduce redness and flakiness, improve acne, rosacea, and eczema.
Try using flax seed oil as a body moisturizer post-shower to nourish your skin from the outside in! 

2. Reduce Your Breast, Ovarian And Endometrial Cancer Risk.
It’s all in the magical nutrients called lignins. They’re one of the richest sources of lignans available, possessing amazing healing powers.
Researchers believe consuming flax seeds regularly can reduce your risk of breast cancer, endometrial and ovarian cancer, due to the three lignans found in flax seeds being converted by intestinal bacteria into enterolactone and enterodiol, which naturally helps to balance hormones.

3. You’ll Absorb More Nutrients From Your Food.
Flax seeds are like nature’s gum. They contain high levels of mucilage gum, which is amazing for your gut! It helps to keep food in the stomach longer which can help increase nutrient absorption.
Plus, the water-soluble gum helps to soothe the lining of the gut, remove toxins and eliminate waste. So you get more of the good stuff, and less of the nasties your body doesn’t need!

4. You Won’t Crave Seconds.
The rich fiber content and a healthy dose of fats means you’re going to get full quick! The soluble fiber also swells in your digestive system by absorbing liquids and helps you stay full for longer.
The healthy fat content will also keep you satiated, so add some seeds to your salads, ground flax to baked goods, and ground flax to your smoothies - you’ll be energized and satisfied for hours!

5. It Keeps Your Cholesterol Levels In Check.
Adding flax seeds to your meals can help keep you manage your cholesterol levels. The seeds are rich in soluble fiber, which helps to trap fat and cholesterol in your digestive system, and passes it through your system, instead of getting stuck where it shouldn’t!
Soluble fiber also traps bile, which is made from cholesterol in the gallbladder. When the bile gets trapped, it passes through the digestive system, so your body has to make more. This helps to use up excess cholesterol in the blood, lowering your levels.

6. They Help To Manage Female Hormones.
It’s those lignans again! The fiber-related plant compounds not only give us a dose of antioxidants but also act as phytoestrogens.
The balancing effect on female hormones suggests it may also be useful as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy due to their estrogenic properties. Plus they can also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
For those of you not going through menopause yet, they can also help to regulate your menstruation cycle. Bonus!

7. Gluten-Free? No Problem! They Make A Great Flour Substitute.
Using ground flax is a great way to naturally replace gluten-containing flours for those with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or simply looking for healthy alternatives! Flax is naturally anti-inflammatory and is multipurpose in baking. Try Lee's delicious Chia & Flaxseed Loaf to start reaping the benefits.

8. They’ll Help You Go...
Awkward bathroom moments will be gone with the help of your new flaxseed friends! Rich in fiber, flax seeds help to cleanse your colon, pushing through toxins and food stuff, making it easier if you’re having trouble in the bathroom.
Just don’t overdo it, as too much fiber can actually cause bloating and discomfort, making things worse instead. Start with 1-2 tablespoons a day and drink plenty of water!

How To Use Flax Seeds Every Day.

If you’re not too sure how to go about including more flax seeds into your daily diet, try these healthy ideas:

• Blend some flax seeds into your smoothie
• Mix into your salad
• Add a teaspoon or two of flax meal to your bliss balls
• Sprinkle a teaspoon or so over your next raw pasta dish
• Add to salad dressings or condiments
• Bake into crackers, cookies, muffins, or bread
• Or use as a vegan egg substitute in baking "

Above article by Laurentine, with additional links, can be read here

... and why not try this lovely flaxseed loaf
see recipe here



All the best Jan

20 comments:

Jo said...

I've never even heard of flax seeds before but they sound to have so many benefits.

Anonymous said...

In recent months I have been using more seeds like Chia and Flax, wish I'd done it before.

Very interesting article

Sue:-)

Anonymous said...

Not commented for a while. Have been busy. Still enjoying your blog posts.
Flax seeds are great for number eight. But do drink plenty of water.

Nona

Martha said...

I know of flax seeds but I haven't used them yet. I should incorporate them into my diet...maybe starting with this delicious recipe you've shared!

Red Rose Alley said...

I heard that flax seed was very good for us, but I'm wondering if the taste is good? I've never tried them before, but now I will. They kind of look like sunflower seeds, with its size and texture. Your flax seed loaf looks pretty good to me. :)

Have a splendid weekend, Jan.

~Sheri

Anonymous said...

Jan thank you for your wonderful post,
This website is brilliant and an absolute joy to read,
It has motivated me to buy some seeds tomoorow,
Have a lovely weekend,
Kath

DeniseinVA said...

I'm going to buy some flax seed next time I go to the store. Thanks Jan :)

Lowcarb team member said...

Jo
Many I know do use Flax seed. I like the Linwoods variety ... but of course it is up to each of us which make / variety we choose to use. They can provide many benefits.

Thanks for your comments - have a great weekend

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Sue
Many thanks for your comments. I think many more of us are beginning to look at the many seeds that are available to us, and that can be of benefit ...

Wishing you a Happy Weekend.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Nona
Lovely to read your comment here, and glad you still enjoy reading the blog.
There are many benefits of Flax seed, and thanks for your 'tip' with number eight.

Happy Weekend Wishes

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Martha
... perhaps now is the time to start using Flax seeds !

Many thanks for your comment, and I hope you have a good weekend.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Sheri
Thank you so much for your thoughts and comment here.
When you see and read all the many articles around ... more and more people are becoming aware of the variety of seeds that we can incorporate into our menu plans... they do have many benefits. Perhaps slowly introduce some into your menu plans and see how you get on ... gradually is sometimes best.

Have a joyful weekend

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Kath
Thank you so much for your lovely comments here ...
I certainly hope you have a successful shopping trip tomorrow and go home with some seeds ...

If you may also be doing a little Christmas Shopping, like many are at this time of year, I hope you find some great gifts. Whatever you weekend plans - have a good one.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Denise
Many thanks for your comment - and happy shopping for Flax seed !

Have a lovely weekend

All the best Jan

JanKnitz said...

When I first went low carb, I used flax seeds every day to make a "muffin in a minute". I started spotting and eventually started bleeding heavily and it lasted for 8 weeks. My doctor had no explanation, but I started researching and learned that the phytoestrogen component of flax can cause bleeding. The bleeding stopped within 2 days of when I stopped eating flax. I don't think it was a coincidence.

Just a warning to enjoy flax in moderation. I may be hypersensitive to the estrogens as I have PCOS, but I would still urge reasonable caution. All the seeds--chia and hemp, too, have some phytoestrogen components, so I enjoy them in very limited quantities after that experience.

Lowcarb team member said...

JanKnitz
I believe Flax can act as a natural blood thinner, so in certain circumstances care may need to be taken. As with any foods if anyone has any allergy or underlying health conditions it is better to introduce new foods slowly ...

Many thanks for your comments, and for sharing your experience...
Enjoy the rest of your Friday evening.

All the best Jan

chris c said...

DO NOT attempt to eat them whole! They will become embedded in your gums. I grind them fresh and sprinkle them over cream and berries (and add some brandy). Seeds of all kinds are a double edged sword, they contain beneficial nutrients but defend them with toxins, so trial them with caution. For me the benefits seem to win - unlike Jan.

The Happy Whisk said...

I love, love, love, those little buggers. I ground mine at home for pancakes and other good eats. Also, for a drink of powerful fiber action and colon clean-up.

Happy Eating.

Lowcarb team member said...

Chris
I do like the sound of " grind them fresh and sprinkle them over cream and berries (and add some brandy)." Rather yummy I think ... many thanks for the tip.

Yes 'Jan(Knitz)' did share her experiences, and I think it is always good to do this ...

Speaking personally I've never found any problems with flax-seeds, but it is always best to introduce new foods carefully ...

Many thanks for your comments, much appreciated.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Ivy
Happy Eating indeed ...
You are brilliant at using seeds - and I bet your pancakes are great!

Many thanks for your comments - always good to receive them.

All the best Jan