Flaxseeds are tiny seeds that are bursting with nutritional health benefits. You can eat them whole (like the ones pictured) or milled and finely ground.
Personally, I prefer them finely ground. The milled flaxseed is perfect for adding to smoothies and porridge. I sprinkle them on my porridge every morning. The seeds have a slightly nutty, earthy taste. Most UK supermarkets now sell them as well as all good health stores. You can even buy them on Amazon.
So, what’s so great about them?
Flaxseeds are the richest vegetarian source of Omega 3 fatty acids. I have written about Omega 3's in an earlier post. in simple terms, the Omega 3 fatty acid group is known for the prevention of heart disease and has anti-inflammatory properties that could benefit diabetes and arthritis.
Flaxseeds help your digestive system, help to reduce bloating, improve digestion and prevent constipation. They increase the water & bulk content helps to shift things along nicely - if you know what I mean!
Flaxseeds are a high source of gluten and wheat free fibre. They are a great way of hitting your daily recommended fibre intake, which the average person struggles to hit. Start off with a teaspoon a day & build up to 1-2 tablespoons. Starting with too much too soon can lead to a bit of discomfort, so be patient and start small.
Because of the high fibre content in flaxseeds, you need to make sure you increase your water intake. This just ensures everything flows correctly so is pretty important!
A good way to get the best from the nutrients of flaxseeds is to activate them. To do this, simply soak the seeds in a glass of water overnight, then drain the water away the next day and eat the seeds.
Try flaxseeds - for a little seed they can add a lot to your diet.
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