What is flax? Is flaxseed good for you?

What is flax? Is flaxseed good for you? Health benefits of linseed explained

FLAXSEED is one of the trendiest superfoods around at the moment. But what is flax and what are the health benefits of linseed?

As flaxseed becomes increasingly popular as a health food, nutritional therapist Anoushka Davy explains the health benefits of flax.

What is flax? 

Ms Davy said: “Flax, flaxseed and linseed are all the same thing - they are names for the seed that comes from the flax plant.” 

The flax plant has blue flowers and is cultivated for its nutritious seeds from which linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is made. 

Linen, yarn and fabric can also be made from the flax plant, which is one of the oldest textile fibres used by mankind. 

Is flaxseed good for you? 

Ms Davy said: “Flax is very good for you, it is a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fibre and a good source of omega 3 fatty acids for vegetarians and vegans.” 

She said that oily fish is still a better source of omega 3 because some people are not able to convert the omega 3 found in flaxseed into the active form very well. 

The blogger, who has a private practice in London, said flaxseed is also high in lignans - chemical compounds that can modulate your body's natural estrogens. 

She said: “This can lead to a protective and preventative effect against conditions such as breast cancer and heart disease. 

“There has been controversy as to whether flaxseed should be avoided or included for women at risk of hormone dependent cancers such as breast cancer due to flaxseed's hormone modulating effect.

“But on the whole research has favoured flaxseed as having a positive effect.” 

She said studies show that flaxseed leads the body to improve the ratio between the two main forms of estrogen metabolites. 

Flaxseed increases 2-OH estrogen, which is seen as beneficial, but decreases 16-OH, which is linked to breast cancer and estrogen dominance conditions, she added.

Whole flaxseeds tend to pass through the gut undigested, so can be helpful to aid constipation as it bulks the stool," Ms Davy said.

“Whereas ground flaxseed is where you will get the rest of the benefits from - the lignans, the omega 3 etc.”  

You can add flaxseed oil to food after cooking or use it as a dressing for salad but it should not be used as a cooking oil.