Flax Seeds Uses and Health Benefits | How to eat flax seeds:
Flax Seeds is one of the top vegetarian substitute for
Cod liver oil. If you are a vegetarian, consuming flax seeds can give you the
benefits of Cod liver oil. If you are fond of low carb diet or curious in weight loss, flax seeds may help you a lot. With richness of fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, Lignan, Flax seeds can help you to maintain the overall health of your body.
Though there are numerous benefits you can get from consumption of Flax seeds, there are side effects too when the dosage is high. Also, it is important to drink more water when you eat flax seeds. For every 1 tbsp of flax seed powder, you must drink 1 glass of water in addition to your daily water intake. Also, it is good to limit yourself to 2 tbsp a day.
Names of Flax seeds in different languages:
Flax seeds have different Indian Names in different languages in India.
Flax seed in Hindi - Alsi or Alasi. It is called as 'Alsi' also in Gujarati and Punjabi.
In Tamil - Ali Vithai/Azhi Vithai/Aazhi Vidhai/Aali Vidhai
In Marati - Jawas, Alashi
In Bengali - Tishi
In Kannada - Agasi
In Malayalam - Cheruchana Vithu
In Oriya - Pesi
In Telugu - Avise Ginzalu
Ground Flax seed is called as Pisi hui alasi, Tharaiyil Aazhi vidhai in Tamil, Jaminivara flaxseed in Marati, Graund flaxseed in Telugu, Nelada Flaxseed in Kannada,
Varieties of Flax Seeds:
1. Brown Flax seeds
2. Golden or yellow flax seeds
Golden or yellow flax seeds are also called as
Linseeds. Except a yellow type flax called 'Solin', all other type of flax seeds have similar nutrients and good amount of short chain Omega 3 Fatty acids. Solin has low level of Omega 3 Fatty Acids when compared with other type of flax seeds. Solin is also known as Linola.
Flax seed Oil or Linseed Oil(Alasi Ka Tela in Hindi):
Flax seed oil is also known as Linseed oil which is extracted from Flax seeds. It is an edible vegetable oil.
Flax seed oil and Linseed oil are called Alasi Ka Tela in Hindi.
Health Benefits of Flax Seeds:
Flax seed Nutritional information - 100 g of Flax seed contains 534 calories, 3.7 g of saturated fat, 29 g of Polyunsaturated fat, 8 g of Monounsaturated fat, 18 g of Protein, 813 mg of Potassium, 30 mg of Sodium, 27 g of Dietary Fiber and 1.6 g of Sugar. It is also rich in Calcium, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Iron, Phosphorous, Zinc and Magnesium. It also has Vitamin C.
Flax seeds have a lot of health benefits which is the advantage of flax seeds.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids in flax seeds help to protect your heart from various heart related diseases.
2. Lignans present in flax seed have antioxidant and Estrogen qualities.
3. Recent studies have mentioned that they have anti-cancer properties. They can protect from breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer.
4. They are believed to reduce the bad cholesterol LDL and increase the good cholesterol HDL.
5.
Flax seeds for
weight loss:
Flax seeds are widely used for weight loss. As it is rich in fiber, it keeps you feel fuller. Including flax seed powder with your roti, cereals, rice, idli, dosa can make you to feel full easily and help you to avoid overeating. When you include in your snacks, you will be able to avoid overeating. Hence flax seeds are useful for weight loss.
6. Flax seeds helps to control diabetes.
7. Flax seeds in Low Carb Diet:
When you are in low carb diet, eating flax seeds is very good as it is rich in fiber, omega 3 fatty acids and many more nutrients.
How to eat Fax seeds?
Here are some easy ways how you can consume Flax seeds as part of your daily diet. As whole flax seed is too hard for the body to break down, you can include them in powder form or oil. Eating flax seeds in ground form helps your body to digest them easily and process it effectively.