Image Source: Dailymail

Way back in the 8^th Century, king Charlemagne passed laws requiring his subjects to consume flax seeds -so great was his belief in their nutritional benefits. Turns out he may have been absolutely right about this little wonder! Studies have proven that this seed, which has been around for centuries, may help keep away a whole host of diseases, while delivering wholesome nutrients to your daily diet. What’s more, being tiny and easily camouflaged makes it super-convenient to use in all sorts of simple foods.

• Too good to be true

 Studies have provided some evidence to show that the lignans found in flax seeds may help reduce risk of cancer, heart disease (by reducing plaque buildup in arteries), stroke and diabetes (by modestly controlling blood sugar). Eating them regularly may help your cholesterol  levels as well. The lignans and alpha-linolenic acid may also help reduce the inflammation associated with diseases like Parkinson’s and asthma.

• Shed those pounds!

Flax seeds are very high in fiber, both soluble and insoluble, which make them naturally great for anyone looking to eat healthy and lose weight. They make sure your bowel functions at its best, helping you drop the kilos faster. Gym-goers are becoming increasingly aware of one particular benefit of flax seeds-they contain (25%) highly absorbable protein. They are also rich in potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and zinc- all of which will help with weight loss.

• The best way to eat them:

Always remember to consume ground flax seeds, as the whole seeds will go through your digestive tract undigested. This form is also healthier than flax seed oil, which has only some components of the seed. There is a whole variety of flax seed products available in the market, but make sure they use ground flax seeds as well.

• Bringing the Flax to your life

Ground flax seeds are extremely easy to incorporate in your diet- add them to cookies, breads or muffins- research has shown that flax seeds can be added to baked goods without losing out on a lot of the alpha-linolenic acid in them. Sprinkling some ground flax seed over a salad is perfect. If you are a mom looking to sneak these into your family’s diet, a good way to do this is by slipping in a few tablespoons of them into dark, moist dishes. Flax seed flour also makes a brilliant substitute for wheat flour, for people allergic to gluten.  Pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers should keep away from these seeds.

Now that you have the basic know-how, begin your journey to a better health today, with this unbelievable health booster.