Flax Seed- The Superfood
Learn in this blog about Flax Seeds- The Indian superfood
Superfood- a relatively new term that has been doing rounds in the circles of foodies and health freaks. Though, officially such term does not find its existence in the parlance of dieticians and nutritionist, it does its job of describing food items or ingredients that hold great nutritional value.
The new age marketing may prompt the addition of a particular food to the ever increasing list of superfoods, one of the food items that has earned the recognition of being the oldest superfoods in the history of human civilization is “Flax seeds”.
Flax seeds are derived from the flax plant and belongs to sub-family of plants “linum” and family “linaceae”. It is identified by differing names in the Indian regional languages-‘Alsi’ in Hindi, ‘Jawas’ in Marathi, ‘Tishi’ (Bengali), ‘Agasi’(Kannada) and ‘Ali Vedai’(Tamil).
History
This annual food and fiber crop is cultivated for its stalks and seeds. The cellulose fiber that grow inside the stalk of flax are used to produce linen fabric. In fact, the oldest cultivation of flax that has been recorded historically- is known to have taken place almost 30000 years ago in Republic of Georgia for its usage as textile. Similarly the seeds that are generated from the plants are widely known for its essentials nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. However, based on these two widely known usages of flax plants, two distinct varieties of plant is cultivated. During its hundred days of life-span (from seed planting to harvesting), plant can either be cultivated for its fibers or seeds but never both. Traditionally known to have grown in cooler region of the world, in India it is cultivated in states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.
Usage
- Flax seed is used as a source of linseed oil.
- Linseed Oil is an edible oil that has properties of nutritional supplements and also omega 3 fatty acids.
- Flax seeds finds its culinary usage in European cuisine where it is traditionally eaten with potatoes and quark.
- It is also used as a paint binder, putty and wood finish.
- Let’s examine the health benefits of Flax Seeds- The Indian superfood
Health benefits
- Flax Seeds are Low on cholesterol, and good for heart.
- It is rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber-aids in weight loss and digestion.
- Flax Seeds is a great vegetarian source of Omega-3 fatty acids-“good fats” essential for healthy heart.
- Flax seeds are rich source of lignans which act as a co-passenger for dietary fiber. Lignan have anti-oxidant properties and may also have some anti-carcinogenic properties. Some studies have shown that exposure to lignan reduced the risk of breast cancer.
- It also helps in balancing increased levels of estrogen in women.
- It helps prevent hair loss and also contributes to strengthening of hairs
Check the nutritional facts of Flax seeds from here
Get some interesting recipe made from Flax seeds here
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