Flax seeds are one of the original medicines used by Hippocrates, widely known for “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. (oh how far we’ve strayed) Flax seeds are a high-fibre super food! Omega-3 essential fatty acids, “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Essential fatty acids are not made in our bodies but are exactly that…essential and therefore we must consume them. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of a-linolenic acid (plant oil).
There are a long list of benefits to flaxseeds, I have named a few below…and really when there are ZERO negative side effects how long of a list of benefits do you really need?! Nature has provided us with an amazing nutrient but man did she ever package it tightly! Our digestive system can’t break through their tough outer hull, so we can try to carefully chew these little guys but come on…they are super tiny and most of them will just end up going in one end and out the other. Grinding them up and using them in your porridge, granola, morning cereal, or mixed into a smoothie are great ways to get the benefits. You can also cook and bake with flax as their beneficial properties are NOT destroyed with heat! (yay)
- increase metabolic function – supports weight loss
- lowers blood pressure
- reduce risk of cancer
- reduce inflammation
- reduce constipation
- improves insulin sensitivity
Just 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds per day just might keep the doctor away!
Plant Based Jenny 