Flaxseed: A Nutritious Superfood for Your Health

Flaxseed is a tiny, golden or brown seed that has been consumed for thousands of years. It is rich in fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals that are essential for optimal health. In this blog post, you’ll learn more about the many benefits of flaxseed, its nutritional value, and a healthy recipe that incorporates this nutritious superfood.

Benefits of flaxseed

Flaxseed has numerous health benefits that make it an excellent addition to your diet. Here are some of the most notable benefits:

Rich in nutrients: Flaxseed is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, fiber and other important nutrients such as vitamin B1, magnesium and phosphorus.

Supports digestive health: flaxseed is rich in fiber, which promotes regular bowel movements and prevents constipation. It can also help reduce inflammation in the digestive system, which can lead to better intestinal health.

Promotes heart health: The omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation and improving cholesterol levels.

May help with weight control: The fiber and healthy fats in flaxseed can help you feel full and satisfied, which reduces the likelihood of overeating and promotes weight loss.

Supports healthy skin and hair: The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed can contribute to healthy skin and hair by reducing inflammation and providing essential nutrients.

Nutritional value of flaxseed

Flaxseed is a real powerhouse of nutrients. Here is a breakdown of the nutritional value per 28-gram (1 ounce) serving:

Calories: 152
Protein: 5.2 grams
Fat: 12 grams
Carbohydrates: 8.2 grams
Dietary fiber: 7.8 grams
Vitamin B1: 31% of the RDI
Magnesium: 27% of the RDI
Phosphorus: 25% of the RDI
Flaxseed is also an excellent source of lignans, a type of plant compound that has antioxidant properties and may help reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Healthy recipe: energy balls from flaxseed

Here’s a simple and healthy recipe for flaxseed energy balls, perfect as a snack or breakfast on the go:

Ingredients:

1 cup pitted dates 1 cup walnuts 1/2 cup flaxseed meal 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 1/4 cup almond butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:

Finely chop the pitted dates and walnuts in a food processor until well blended.
Add flaxseed meal, shredded coconut, almond butter, vanilla extract and sea salt and pulse again until a sticky dough forms.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls with your hands and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place the energy balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Flax pancakes with apples and cinnamon

Ingredients:

1 cup wholemeal flour

1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 cup of milk

1 egg

1 spoon of honey

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 apple, grated

Pinch of salt

Butter or cooking oil

Preparation:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground flaxseed, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

In another bowl, beat the egg, then add milk, honey and olive oil. Mix everything well.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

Add the grated apple and mix.

Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a little butter or oil.

Pour a spoonful of mixture onto the pan and cook until you see bubbles on top of the pancake. Turn and cook on the other side until golden brown.

Repeat until all the mixture is used up.

Serve with fresh fruit, Greek yogurt or maple syrup.

This recipe for flax pancakes is delicious and