Alright guys, I’m ready to spill the beans on flax seeds….
Flaxseed comes from the flax plant, which is native to the area of the Mediterranean to India. This seed was cultivated around 3000 BC in Babylon, an ancient city of Mesopotamia. And guess what?? King Charlemagne was such a flax believer that he passed laws REQUIRING his people to consume it!
If I become Queen or president, you can bet that I’ll create laws requiring my people to eat flax. This is prob why dietitians aren’t running for president…
WATCH out Trump!!
This genius King consumed the seeds because of the healing properties and high fiber content. Fast forward a few thousand years and you will see basic b’s gramming pics of flaxseed in smoothies, salads, and cereals ( without requirement of the law ).
So… What do the Babylonians and the health nuts on social media have in common?!
Both enjoy reaping the many benefits flaxseed has to offer.
Omega-3 fatty acids – These are the essential “good”-for you fats. Essential fats are fats that aren’t synthesized in the body and must be obtained from food. Flaxseed has 1.8 grams of omega-3s.
Skin & Hair Health – The ALA ( alha-linoleic acid ) is a omega-3 fatty acid found in flax seed. Flaxseed’s ALA benefits the skin and hair by providing essential fats along with b-vitamins to reduce dryness and flakiness.
Digestive Health– The ALA in flax can also protect the lining of the digestive tract.
Fiber – Flaxseed has both soluble and insoluble fiber which can aid in colon detoxification, warding off cravings, and fat loss. 1 T of flaxseed contributed 2.8 grams towards the 25-30 grams of fiber.
Flaxseed is sold milled and whole. Whole flax seed *can’t be digesting in your body* while milled can. This means that your body will miss out on most of the great benefits that come from these seeds. Milled flax provides your body with both soluble and insoluble fibers while whole flax provides only insoluble fibers.
I enjoy adding flax seeds to: cereals, salads, smoothies, soups, or baked goods for an extra kick of fiber. How would you eat your flax??
xx hails