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Are Flaxseeds All That?

They’re a superfood with less star power than kale or kombucha, often seen as no more than a humble cousin of the famed chia seed. Flaxseeds found a brief moment in the spotlight with a recent viral TikTok post which implied that slathering the seeds all over your face can reduce wrinkles as well as Botox injections can. But while their skin-care benefits are dubious at best, they deserve more credit for how nutritious they are, experts say. Flaxseeds are one of the richest sources of alpha-linolenic acids, or A.L.A.s, a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in plants and known as a “heart-healthy fat,” said Dr. Selvi Rajagopal, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University…

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  Why You Should Definitely Be Eating Flaxseeds Everyday

That may sound hyperbolic, but it’s the truth: multiple well-conducted studies have found that eating flaxseeds has a number of benefits, among them improved digestion and improved heart health, as well as lower risk of certain cancers, obesity, and diabetes.

Articles of Interest

Adding a Spoonful of This to Your Oatmeal or Yogurt Can Keep Your Weight Down

So, you already enjoy a morning bowl of oatmeal, and you already top it with protein-packed walnuts or chia seeds to stay full longer. That's two steps in the right direction. To give your breakfast just one more boost, add a teaspoon of flaxseeds or sesame seeds to your bowl too—they could help you keep your weight steady, according to a new study.

Flaxseed: A Little Seed With Big Health Benefits

There’s lots to love about flaxseeds. They’re full of both fiber and protein, and they’re also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, a type of polyphenol that helps boost your heart health.

How to Choose Between Flaxseeds and Chia Seeds, According to RDs

But while chia seeds and flaxseeds can appear to be interchangeable, there are some noteworthy differences between the two. For one, they look different. Chia seeds are tiny black or white ovals, while flaxseeds are brown and teardrop shaped. They have slight nutritional differences, too.

How to Eat Flaxseed — and Why You Should

These little seeds are bursting with beneficial nutrients. Here's why you should eat flaxseeds, including the best flaxseed recipe ideas.

Seeds of Promise

Flaxseeds are harder than sesame seeds, so it’s a good idea to grind them — coarse or fine, depending on the recipe. That way, too, all the nutrition in flaxseeds is more readily available to the body. Keep what you don’t use in the refrigerator or freezer, as the oils in flaxseeds, like those in most nuts and seeds, will oxidize if not kept cold.

The Role of Flaxseed in Improving Human Health

Flaxseed contains high amounts of biologically active components such as α-linolenic acid, lignans, and dietary fiber. Due to its numerous nutritional properties, flaxseed has been classified as a “superfood”, that is, a food of natural origin with various bioactive components and many health-promoting benefits.