Losing excess weight is not easy. Many people consider flaxseed to be a miracle cure when it comes to dieting. But is that true?
In fact, flax seeds are extremely healthy. They promote digestion and keep you full for a long time. The effect of the seeds is due to the fiber and healthy omega-3 fatty acids they contain – and has been known in folk medicine for centuries. Nevertheless, flax seeds are not a miracle cure.
Flaxseeds promote digestion
Flaxseeds contain a high proportion of fiber. These valuable bulking and mucous substances bind a lot of fluid in the intestines. This makes the food pulp softer and more voluminous, which promotes digestion and prevents constipation. The swollen seeds also lubricate the intestinal walls so that the food pulp can be removed smoothly. This laxative effect not only promotes easy bowel emptying, but also general intestinal health.
Weight loss: Lose weight with flax seeds
Flaxseeds can also be useful for weight loss. The reason: The swelling fiber causes the stomach to stretch. This ensures that you get full quicker. Fiber also stays in the digestive tract longer, meaning you feel fuller for longer. Flaxseeds can therefore ensure a quicker and longer-lasting feeling of satiety.
However, you can’t rely solely on the valuable seeds and expect to lose weight by consuming a few seeds every now and then. A balanced diet and sufficient exercise should be the basis of every diet. The flaxseeds only help you lose weight. For more weight loss tip read here .
How to get your body used to flax seeds
It’s best to eat up to two tablespoons of flaxseed every day and only increase the amount slowly – your body may have to get used to a high-fiber diet.
It’s best to start with a tablespoon of flaxseed in muesli or yogurt. After a week, increase the portion to two spoons. It is important that you always drink enough during the treatment period. Drink a glass of water with every meal containing flaxseed. You should drink at least two and a half liters of fluid every day so that consuming flax seeds does not lead to constipation.
The healing effects of small seeds
However, flaxseeds do not only have a digestive effect. They also contain the polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid as well as protein and vitamins B1, B2 and B6 as well as folic and pantothenic acid (see the notes in the next section).
Thanks to the variety of ingredients, linseeds are often used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and skin. The seeds help with diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation of the stomach lining or intestines. Flaxseeds are also used as poultices for inflammation of the skin and rheumatic complaints.
Crushed, powdered or as oil?
Depending on what benefit you hope to get from the flax seeds, you need to choose the right form. Flaxseeds are available: as whole seeds, oil, crushed or as powder.
If you just want to aid your digestion or lose some weight, you can use whole seeds. Fiber is mainly important for these purposes. However, if you also want the valuable ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, you should prefer the ground form.
Linseed oil or linseed oil mainly supplies the valuable fatty acids and vitamins E and K. It no longer contains fiber. Especially if you rarely eat fish or follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, the rich oil supplies the body with valuable omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants . The oil is ideal for cooking, for example as a dressing over salad or quark.
- Valuable fats : This much linseed oil per day is healthy
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids : linseed oil – oil from linseed is so healthy
- Healthy digestion : Psyllium husks: This is what they can be used for