Flaxseed benefits for heart, diabetes, and PMS: 5 honest reasons to keep a tablespoon around

TL;DR: Known since Mesopotamia, flaxseed is functional, gluten-free, and useful. The flaxseed benefits worth knowing: it lowers total and LDL cholesterol, helps with high blood pressure, supports weight loss through fiber, aids in preventing type 2 diabetes, eases PMS and menopause symptoms through lignans, and offers an energy boost. One tablespoon a day is enough.

Known since the times of Mesopotamia, flaxseed comes from flax, or linen. Very functional, it brings many benefits for your heart and intestines, and also helps prevent some types of cancer. Consumed in weight-loss diets, flaxseed helps reduce the buildup of fat in your body, thanks to its fiber, which acts on the release of glucose in blood. And the best part: it’s gluten-free.

Have you ever consumed flaxseed? Do you know the benefits it offers to your health? Here are five real reasons to keep it in the pantry.

1. Does flaxseed help prevent heart disease?

Thanks to the omega-3, flaxseed is great for fighting heart diseases. It helps lower the levels of total cholesterol and LDL, the bad cholesterol. It also helps with high blood pressure.

2. How does flaxseed help with weight loss?

Because flaxseed is rich in fiber, consuming it will reduce the glucose in your bloodstream since it slows the digestion. It helps lower your insulin levels, responsible for making you crave breads, cakes, cookies, and sweet treats that cause weight gain.

3. Can flaxseed help prevent diabetes?

For the same reasons it helps you lose weight, flaxseed also helps with diabetes prevention. That’s because when we have insulin resistance, our body may develop type 2 diabetes. Besides that, according to some studies, the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a subtype of omega-3 present in flaxseed, seems to be able to reduce the chances of developing diabetes, although the reason is still unknown.

4. Flaxseed for PMS and menopause

Flaxseed is great for women since it prevents hot flashes and emotional weakness. Due to substances called lignans, which replicate estrogen, the female hormone, during pre-menstrual or menopause periods, flaxseed acts as a natural replacement of this hormone. Try it and see how you feel.

5. Does flaxseed actually boost energy?

According to experts, flaxseed offers a boost of energy and vitality. It accelerates metabolism, generating energy, and also helps with muscle recovery.

How to eat flaxseed

According to studies, 1 tablespoon of flaxseed per day is enough to get a good amount of its nutrients. Flaxseed can be consumed in 3 different ways:

• Flaxseed flour, which can be added to juices, salads, and fruits.
• Flaxseed grain, used in breads, pies, yogurts, and vitamins. Remember to chew it, to really get the nutrients.
• Flaxseed oil, amazing for salads. Never use this oil in hot plates.

Besides consuming flaxseed in these three ways, you can also use a flaxseed oil supplement to get all the benefits of this powerful grain.

A gentle closing thought

One tablespoon, once a day, three easy formats. It’s hard to find a food that does more, more quietly. If you like the idea of small everyday habits that actually move the needle, the newsletter goes out every Friday with a few more.

Frequently asked questions

How much flaxseed should I eat per day?

According to studies, 1 tablespoon of flaxseed per day is enough to get a good amount of its nutrients.

Is flaxseed gluten-free?

Yes. Flaxseed is gluten-free, which is part of what makes it so easy to add to most diets.

Can I heat flaxseed oil?

Flaxseed oil is amazing for salads. Never use this oil in hot plates.

How does flaxseed help with PMS and menopause?

Flaxseed contains substances called lignans, which replicate estrogen, the female hormone. During pre-menstrual or menopause periods, flaxseed acts as a natural replacement of this hormone and helps prevent hot flashes and emotional weakness.

Does flaxseed lower cholesterol?

Thanks to the omega-3, flaxseed helps lower the levels of total cholesterol and LDL, the bad cholesterol. It also helps with high blood pressure.