What is the significance of flax seeds?

Answer 1

As with other oil seeds, flax seeds are high in calories (100 grams of seeds contains 534 calories or 27% of daily value). Flax seeds are excellent source of fiber, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. They are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, and one of the top vegetable sources of the essential omega-3 fatty acids linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and arachidonic acids. Regular intake of small portions of flax seeds helps lower total as well as LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increase HDL or "good cholesterol" levels in the blood. Omega-3 fatty acids, by their virtue of their anti-inflammatory action, help to lower the risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, strokes, and breast, colon and prostate cancers. Omega-3 fatty acids are required for normal infant development nervous system maturation. Flax seed oil consists of approximately 55% ALA, along with lignans, a class of phytoestrogens with antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. Flax seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, especially rich in gamma-tocopherol; containing about 20 grams (133% of daily-recommended values) per 100 grams. Flax seeds are packed with many important B vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and folate. Flax seeds are a rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

Being seeds, they provide with dietary fibre which might have slimming effects on people as it helps to suppress the appetite and control the blood Glucose levels.

Overall flax seeds will contribute to prevent many deficiencies and improvement of general health.