1. May Help in Cancer Prevention

Several studies on postmenopausal women showed that supplementing diets with flaxseeds could reduce the risk of breast cancer. The seeds may also reduce tumor growth in patients with breast cancer. The omega-3 fatty acids in the seeds have anti-inflammatory properties that help in this regard.

2. May Aid Diabetes Treatment

Studies showed that flaxseed supplementation lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 20%. More importantly, the seeds contain mucilage, which is a gel-forming fiber that can slow digestion and the resultant release of glucose into the blood.

Preliminary studies have also shown that flaxseeds can delay the onset of diabetes mellitus. They contain a compound called SDG, which could reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes and delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

3. May Aid Weight Loss

As flaxseeds are rich in fiber, they can aid weight management. The seeds also contain omega-3s. Studies show that omega-3s may suppress appetite and improve satiety – and this may help in weight loss.

The lignans in flaxseeds are also believed to boost metabolism, which may aid weight loss. However, more research is needed to understand the mechanism.

Studies also showed that flaxseeds could increase fat excretion, thereby decreasing the amount of fat content in the body. This may promote weight loss.

4. May Enhance Digestive Health

Animal studies showed that flaxseed supplementation in the diet could promote the health of gut flora. The soluble fiber in flaxseeds could aid digestion as well, although supporting research is limited. Ground flaxseeds are believed to work better as eating them whole can ake them pass through your system without getting digested.

The most common use of flaxseeds involves its laxative properties. This means the seeds can make you poop. They can also help treat constipation but ensure you drink enough water after consuming them.

The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseeds can help reduce inflammation and protect the lining of the GI tract. In people with healthy digestive systems, the seeds promote the beneficial gut flora. Further research is needed to understand the benefits of omega-3s and their connection to gut flora.

5. May Protect the Heart

The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseeds have been found to cut the risk of coronary heart disease. They also help improve the functioning of the arteries. A Costa Rican study showed that individuals consuming more of ALA (the type of omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseeds) had a lower risk of heart attack.

6. May Fight Inflammation

Two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds contain over 140% of the daily value of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to fight inflammation. The alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) in the seeds was found to decrease pro-inflammatory compounds in the body.

The omega-3s in flaxseeds can also help treat inflammatory arthritis.

7. May Treat Menstrual Symptoms

Consuming flaxseeds may regularize ovulation. Women who regularly ate flaxseeds were found to ovulate during every menstrual cycle. Adding flaxseeds to your diet may also help reduce menstrual cramps, though more research is required to support this effect.

Another important piece of research tells us that flaxseeds may help ease hot flashes. However, some other studies state otherwise, and more research is warranted to understand how flaxseeds work in this regard.

8. Flaxseeds are Gluten-Free

Flaxseeds work as a great replacement for all those gluten-containing grains in your diet. In case you are gluten-intolerant, most grains could be hard to digest. This is where flaxseeds can be a good choice for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

9. May be Beneficial During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Flaxseeds are a rich source of fiber and omega-3s and a good source of protein – and a pregnant woman requires all these nutrients. Fiber could help treat constipation that often occurs during pregnancy. The protein and omega-3s are critical for the child’s health. However, there is no direct research stating the benefits of flaxseeds during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

As per an animal study, flaxseeds can promote retina and optic nerve development in the offspring.

However, we recommend you talk to your doctor before taking flaxseeds for this purpose as there is some conflicting evidence in this regard.

10. May Make Your Skin Glow

The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseeds may contribute to skin health and appearance. They can keep your skin hydrated and make it smooth. Studies show that dietary supplementation of flaxseeds can balance the anti- and pro-inflammatory compounds and promote healthy aging.

The oil of flaxseeds may also help. It may prevent the everyday irritants and pollutants from entering your skin pores. It also prevents water loss from the skin. Improving the skin’s moisture levels can also help reduce wrinkles.

Keeping your skin moisturized prevents it from drying out, and this makes it glow. While we need more research to determine if flaxseeds can directly influence growth, some evidence states that flaxseed oil could improve skin barrier function.

You can also try a flaxseed facial. Mix two tablespoons of raw honey, a teaspoon of fresh lime juice, and a tablespoon of flaxseed oil. Apply the mixture directly to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash with normal water. Do it in the mornings, every day.

11. May Strengthen Hair

Brittle hair is often attributed to a lack of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. As flaxseeds are rich in these fatty acids, as per animal studies, they were found to strengthen hair, improve hair coat quality, and combat hair fall. They can also help prevent a condition called cicatricial alopecia, which is a permanent hair loss condition caused by inflammation.

You can prepare a hair gel using flaxseeds. Boil two cups of water. As the water begins to boil, add four tablespoons of flaxseeds to it. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn the heat off and strain the infusion. Apply the resultant gel to your scalp every morning and then wash as usual after 20 minutes.

These are the benefits of flaxseeds. We already saw a few of the important nutrients in the seeds. How about taking a look at the entire nutrient profile?