Integrating a small daily serving of flax seeds (2 Tbsp.) into your diet can do amazing things for your health. In this post, we discuss flax seed benefits. After you read about the role that flax seeds play in your health, you’ll see why we choose not to live without them!
Flax seeds balance estrogenlevels in the body.
Flax seeds contain lignans, which are a phytoestrogen. Flax seeds are mildly estrogenic, 1000X weaker than estrogen. Flax seeds occupy estrogen receptors in order to balance estrogen levels in the body. When a person has too much estrogen, the flax seed occupies the estrogen receptor in order to elbow the real estrogen out of the way and replace it with weaker estrogen found in flax seeds. This will lower overall estrogen activity in the body. On the other hand, if a person has low estrogen levels, the flax seeds will still occupy the estrogen receptor in order to raise the overall estrogen level.
Flax seeds contain fiber, which helps to regulate blood glucose levels.
Flax seeds contain soluble fiber, which helps to carry cholesterol out of your body. In effect, this lowers the risk for cardiovascular disease. Flax seeds contain insoluble fiber that adds bulk to stools. This is why it is important for regular and healthy bowel movements, which excrete toxins from the body so that they aren’t reabsorbed in the blood. The insoluble portion of Flax seeds lowers the risk of Diverticulitis.
Flax seeds soothe the gut.
Flax seeds are mucilaginous and demulcent, which has the effect of soothing irritated tissues in the intestines. Healing the lining of the gut in this way is important when it is irritated from inflammation or any gastrointestinal issue. Patients suffering from ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s Disease can benefit from adding flax seeds to their diet.
Flax seeds help maintain ideal weight.
Adding Flax seeds to your diet can promote satiety. Because of the fiber in flax seeds, you feel full more quickly. This helps to resist the urge to eat more than necessary at each meal.
One thing to note is that anytime we talk about the benefits of flax seeds, we’re referring to freshly ground flaxseeds. I don’t usually recommend whole flax seeds because they act as a laxative. Also, be sure to smell your flax seeds before you eat them to make sure that they are fresh because the oils in flax seeds can go rancid if they are not refrigerated.
Need ideas on how to get flax seed into your diet each day? Check out our recommendations here.