Flax is a useful medicinal plant for the human body. It is used to prevent various diseases. Flax helps improve well-being, tones the body and saturates it with essential vitamins and microelements. Flax grains are added to various prepared dishes and products. Cocktails and infusions are prepared from it and used to cleanse the body. Flax actively fights excess weight, protects against cancer, etc.
- For women
Chemical composition of seeds
Flax seeds contain fiber, which does not dissolve or digest in the human body. Fiber also contains substances called lignans. They perform a protective function in the female body - preventing the development of breast cancer. Flax seed contains oil and vegetable fats. Helps reduce cholesterol, reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and treats inflammation in the joints.
In terms of the range of useful components, seeds are superior to fruits, vegetables, and berries. Flax grains are cheap, and you can buy them in any region of the country: in every pharmacy or grocery supermarket.
Energy value (BJU) per 100 grams of product:
- Proteins – 18, 29 g.
- Fats – 42, 16 g.
- Carbohydrates – 28, 88 g.
- The calorie content of the product is 534 calories.
The chemical composition of the substances is as follows:
- Cellulose. Improves intestinal function, promotes the passage of feces, which subsequently normalizes stool and relieves constipation. Passing through the intestines, plant fibers absorb toxins. This process helps cleanse the body.
- Fats. The seeds contain a large amount of essential acids - omega-3, omega-6. They have a wide range of actions, protect the body from various diseases and oncology. Fatty acids protect the human body from excess cholesterol and prevent the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes.
- Amino acids. This is pure protein, which is necessary for human muscles and organs. It is responsible for hemoglobin levels and metabolic functions in the body.
- Vitamins and microelements. The grains are saturated with vitamins A, B, E, F, and minerals - potassium and magnesium. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, the vitamin complex is easily absorbed by the human body.
- Lignans. Stabilizes hormonal levels in men and women. Prevents cancer.
Effect on the human body
Flax seeds play an important role in the functioning of internal organs and in the treatment of various diseases. Before a course of treatment, it is better to consult a doctor.
For problems with the gastrointestinal tract, flax seeds help in the following way:
- Stomach. Inflammatory processes in the stomach are reduced, which helps in the fight against gastritis. Mucus helps reduce secretory function and reduce the amount of gastric juice secreted.
- Intestines. Within a few days after taking the seeds, intestinal function normalizes, stool returns to normal, and constipation disappears.
- Liver. The functioning of the kidneys and liver improves, and waste and toxins are quickly removed from the body.
- Pancreas. Flax grains help prevent tumors during inflammation of the pancreas and help normalize bile levels.
Flax grains are also used for the following diseases:
| Disease | Characteristic |
| For the cardiovascular system | A week after eating flax grains, blood cholesterol levels decrease. Your blood sugar will go down. This will help you avoid diabetes in the future. |
| For weight loss and appetite | Appetite decreases, food intake becomes minimal. Fiber stays in the stomach for a long time and helps maintain a feeling of fullness. For people losing weight, it is necessary to consume the seeds with other dietary products. |
| For the immune system | The immune system becomes stronger. People are less likely to get colds. Grains help increase the body's protective properties |
| In gynecology | Hormonal imbalance is restored, the menstrual cycle is restored, pain during menstruation is eliminated. Doctors prescribe flax seeds in case of uterine fibroids |
| For worms | Flax must be squeezed out and oil used, but it should be stored in an airtight container and a dark place. Should be taken after using anthelmintic antibiotics. The grains will help remove dead parasites from the body and normalize the intestinal microflora |
| For joints | Flaxseed oil can be used internally or purchased as ointments. Helps in the treatment of arthrosis and arthritis. Protects joints from inflammation |
| For the nervous system | Regular intake of grains will help avoid depression, mental stress, mental disorders |
| For cholesterol | The constituent components of the product help normalize metabolism and remove excess cholesterol. Thin the blood and speed up metabolism |
| For diabetes | Flax seeds restore cells that are responsible for insulin and carbohydrate metabolism. Reduces sugar levels in the body, improves metabolism |
Healthy recipes
Before using flax seeds in the form of an infusion for weight loss, you need to:
- 2 tbsp. l. place the grains in a cup.
- Add 250 ml of boiling water and let it swell.
- Drink 10 ml before meals.
It is recommended to consume this flaxseed drink for a week for weight loss, and then repeat the course after 7 days.
It is useful to replace bread in your daily diet with homemade flax seed bread. It's easy to make them:
- Grind 200 g of seeds.
- Dilute with a small amount of water (70 ml) until a thick mass is obtained.
- Spoon the mixture onto a baking sheet in a thin layer.
- Dry in the oven for 15 minutes at 100 degrees.
If desired, you can add salt, raw onion or garlic to the mixture.
Rich in potassium and Omega-3, flax milk is used by vegans and diet-conscious people as an alternative to cow's milk. To prepare it you need to take:
- 2 tbsp. spoons of seeds;
- 6 glasses of clean water;
- several dates, vanilla, cinnamon powder, nutmeg.
Pour water over the seeds and blend in a blender for 5 minutes. Then strain through cheesecloth, add spices and beat again. This product can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
It is important to remember that uncrushed grains are digested somewhat less well.
Admission rules
Doctors strongly recommend consuming raw flax. It can be eaten separately after eating food.
If the seeds are difficult to chew, you can grind them in a coffee grinder. After grinding, the grains must be consumed within 12 hours, after which time they oxidize and harm the body.
Doctors allow seeds to be treated with boiling water, but the temperature should not exceed 100 °C. At this temperature, fats do not become carcinogenic, but the seeds lose a number of useful vitamins and microelements.
Dose and proportion
An adult needs to eat several tablespoons of seeds per day. Doctors recommend starting with 2-3 teaspoons and gradually increasing the dose. Laxative properties can cause a number of inconveniences, so the body must get used to the new product.
Decoction for making mucus
You can prepare a decoction, infusion or mucus from flax seeds. For cooking, you can use whole grains or grind them. The correct method of preparation is to pour warm boiled water over the seeds. The mucus will begin to swell, resulting in an infusion. It can be applied to the skin, so inflammatory processes go away.
The infusion heals diseased areas of organs. For those with more gastritis, the mucus should be consumed 30-40 minutes before meals. It is not recommended to brew the infusion; flax releases toxic substances and harms the body.
Flax seed decoction
One of the popular and common ways to prepare flax grains is to brew the seed. To do this you need:
- Take 2 tablespoons of seeds, put in a saucepan and pour in 1 glass of water.
- Place over low heat and cook for 25–30 minutes, stirring slowly.
- Drink the prepared decoction 100–150 ml in the morning on an empty stomach. The course is 10 days.
Doctors strongly do not recommend taking the decoction, since the grains lose their beneficial qualities after heat treatment.
Use in cooking
The seeds are used as an additive to vegetable salads, meat or fish dishes, desserts and smoothies. In cooking, derivatives made from flaxseeds are no less revered. From them, vegetable oil is obtained (mainly by cold pressing) and flaxseed flour.
Flaxseed oil
This product is enriched with unsaturated acids, the concentration of which is twice that of fish oil [7]. Nutritionists recommend dressing salads with this oil or drinking it in the morning on an empty stomach (only in case of direct need for the body). Culinary experts love flaxseed oil for its delicate aroma, which combines subtle nutty notes mixed with natural plant aromas. Unfortunately, you cannot fry with flaxseed oil, since when decomposed, unsaturated fatty acids form carcinogenic compounds. It also begins to smoke, burn and makes the dish unfit for consumption.
Flaxseed flour
Flax is a virtually waste-free product. Flour is obtained from seeds immediately after pressing the oil. The taste of flour is practically no different from traditional wheat or oatmeal, but the functional range is radically different. Flaxseed flour can absorb large amounts of moisture. If you are used to adding 1-2 tablespoons of water and oil to wheat flour, then for flaxseed flour this amount will have to be doubled. Experienced cooks focus on the consistency of the dough and vary the ingredients according to how they feel. If you are not sure of your own sense of proportion, then strictly follow the stated recipe.
Another important property of flour is its long shelf life. Flaxseed flour increases the shelf life of baked goods, so manufacturers often include it in the composition so that the product can last longer at the point of sale without compromising taste, quality and appearance.
How to take seeds correctly
Flax seeds have a wide range of medicinal effects. The grains can be consumed dry, sprouted and crushed. The grains can also be taken with many foods. How are flaxseeds used:
- In ground form. The seeds can be ground using a blender, meat grinder or coffee grinder. They are completely ready to use. They should be added to various food products and ready-made dishes: cereals, salads, soups and sauces. Decorate cakes and casseroles. To cleanse the body, it can be consumed with fermented milk products.
- Dry seeds. Should be added to prepared foods and foodstuffs. They can also be eaten separately with plenty of water. This way, all the necessary vitamins and minerals will enter the body. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the norm of use of the product so as not to cause a laxative effect.
- Sprouted flax seeds . When grains come into contact with water, they release mucus, so it is necessary to correctly follow the germination technology. It is better to buy seeds dry and separate. It is worth sprouting the product in small quantities so that it does not spoil. The taste can be compared to peas or nuts. Take 1 teaspoon of grains before meals. The daily norm should not exceed 40-50 grams.
Method of use of food:
| Product | Mode of application |
| Flour | You should not buy flaxseed flour in stores. This product will not benefit the body, but only harm. Seeds are prohibited from adding to bread and other baked goods or baking them. It is better to add grains to any cooked dish raw. |
| Oil | Frying foods with flax oil is strictly prohibited. When heated, fats lose their beneficial properties and cause harm to the body. They change the protective function, do not prevent cancer, but provoke it |
| Decoction | Doctors do not recommend making a decoction of flax seeds. At high temperatures, the components of the product release carcinogens. Flax loses its beneficial properties and harms the body |
| Infusion | In the evening, pour warm or cold water over the flax grains and leave to steep overnight. The infusion should be consumed before bedtime. The secreted flax mucus has an antiseptic effect, enveloping the stomach. Also used to treat the intestines and pancreas. The decoction should not be taken by people with intestinal obstruction or kidney stones |
| Kissel | For preparation you need to use only warm or cold water. A flax seed product makes a person feel full. It is good to include jelly in the diet for weight loss, metabolic disorders, and liver disease. Should not be used by people with chronic pancreatitis or diarrhea |
| With kefir | Flax grains should be consumed with kefir for weight loss. The digestion process improves and the intestinal microflora is restored. Weight loss occurs and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized. It is good to use this kefir for breakfast or dinner. |
| Cocktails | A small amount of grains can be added to your favorite juice. You should drink it on an empty stomach once a day. You can eat food after 30–40 minutes. Cocktails made from grains help restore intestinal microflora, remove excess weight, and saturate the body with the necessary amount of nutrients |
| Various cereals and porridges | The seeds should be added to prepared dishes after the porridge has cooled. This is a complete breakfast that will have a positive effect on human health, strengthen the nervous, immune and central systems of the body. |
Flaxseed bread
In addition to chewing the seeds, you can make good dishes. For example, bread with flaxseed. Here is the prescription:
On a special drying plate, make flaxseed dough from ground flaxseed with the addition of water and spices. Then dry the thin cake.
That's all!
We do not use flaxseed flour to make bread. After all, ready-made store-bought flour is made from pressed seeds. That is, the oil has already survived there in advance. As a result, even the taste of such bread will be radically different.
Therefore, we do all the preparations without purchased flour. You can either grind the seeds in a coffee grinder and use them as flour, or grind the already sprouted seeds in a blender with spices.
Reception features
Flax seeds are not only beneficial, but can also be harmful to health. It is necessary to follow the dosage indicated in the prescription so as not to harm yourself or your child.
For women
Women are recommended to consume flax in its natural form. It contains phytoestrogens, which are an analogue of female hormones. The seed helps cleanse the body of toxins.
It is forbidden to use by women with hypersensitivity, as an allergic reaction may occur. Should not be used for endometritis, polycystic disease and uterine fibroids. Consultation with your attending physician is necessary. Pregnant women can consume flax seeds, but only after permission from a specialist.
For men
To support immunity, men are recommended to make an infusion of flax. Add 1 tablespoon of flax to a glass of water and leave for 6–7 hours. The drink must be drunk within 24 hours. For people over 50 years of age, it is recommended to consume one tablespoon of flax daily. It helps protect a man from prostate cancer and increases the level of testosterone production in the blood.
Features of reception during breastfeeding
Some doctors say that adding flax can be harmful, others say it can help a young mother. Flaxseeds are contraindicated for a child at an early age. They can be added after 6 months. Before use, you should consult your doctor.
What to consider when choosing a product
When choosing flaxseed, they are guided by its appearance:
- the surface of the grains should be glossy, smooth, without bumps;
- The presence of mold on the shell is unacceptable;
- You can taste the flax seeds - biting them should be accompanied by a crunch.
Flaxseed is not digestible by the stomach in its entirety. It is better to buy it crushed or grind it at home.
Raw materials - linum usitatissimum
Contraindications
Contraindications to the use of flaxseed:
- intestinal obstruction;
- pancreatitis, cholecystitis;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- the presence of stones in the bile ducts and bladder;
- product intolerance.
In what cases is it necessary to consult a doctor:
- for diabetes mellitus;
- for diseases of the prostate gland (in men).
If the dosage is incorrect, diarrhea may occur, blood sugar levels will increase, and an allergic reaction may occur.
