Golden flaxseeds are a valuable addition to your diet because they offer a number of health benefits. Flaxseeds are a rich source of alpha linolenic acid, or ALA, according to World's Healthiest Foods website. ALA is an omega-3 fat, similar to that found in oily fish. Vegetarians or people who don't eat fish can eat flaxseeds as a source of omega-3, which offers a range of health benefits.
Reduces Inflammation
Golden flaxseeds have anti-inflammatory properties, according to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois. This is because they are high in phytochemicals, including lignans, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, which are also thought to have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. They are recommended for people who suffer from asthma, arthritis and other types of inflammatory conditions.
Lowers Cholesterol
The National Institutes of Health advises that "in laboratory and animal studies, flaxseed and flaxseed oil are reported to lower blood cholesterol levels." Studies show that taking 20 g of ground flaxseed per day can reduce cholesterol levels as much as taking prescribed statin drugs.
Controls Blood Pressure
A study of nearly 5000 adults known as the International Study of Macro- and Micro-nutrients and Blood Pressure showed that those with a higher level of omega-3 intake have lower blood pressure than those with lower levels of intake. The study report, published in the Journal of Hypertension in 2003, notes that "omega-3s from nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils--such as walnuts and flaxseed--had just as much impact on blood pressure as omega-3s from fish."
Prevents Osteoporosis
Golden flaxseeds can help prevent osteoporosis, according to a study conducted by scientists at the National Research Center in Cairo, Egypt. The findings, published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, reported that "bone mineral density and content... were reduced and normalized after receiving flaxseed oil... and flaxseed oil has [a] beneficial effect on the prevention of osteoporosis."
References
- McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois: Flax Seeds and Nutritional Needs
- "Journal of Human Hypertension": INTERMAP: background, aims, design, methods and descriptive status
- "International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health": Impact of feeding flaxseed oil on delaying the development of osteoporosis in ovariectomised diabetic rats, M. Elwassef, et al, 2009
- Medline Plus: Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
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