Welcome to Start TODAY. Sign up for our Start TODAY newsletter to receive daily inspiration sent to your inbox — and join us on Instagram!
You may have noticed that flaxseeds are getting more attention lately. You can thank TikTok for shining the light on the mighty seed. Users have been making claims that flaxseed gel applied to the face is “the same as Botox” (more on that later).
But social media trends aside, flaxseeds have long been a food that dietitians encourage as a part of a healthy diet. And whether or not there is merit to the latest buzzy trend, there are many reasons why they should be part of your daily diet.
For one, the tiny seeds pack many beneficial nutrients into a small package. With healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, flaxseeds serve up a ton of health benefits. They also contain an estrogen-like compound, called lignans, that positively influence female hormones. Plus, flaxseeds add a nutty and crunchy flavor to any meal, with a bonus boost of nutrition.
Learn the nutrition facts of flaxseeds, the health benefits of eating these small but mighty seeds and simple ways to include them in your diet.
Flaxseed nutrition facts
Two tablespoons of flaxseed (the recommended serving size on most packages) contains:
- 110 calories
- 4 grams protein
- 9 grams fat
- 6 gram carbohydrates
- 6 grams fiber (21% daily value (DV))
- 80 milligrams magnesium (19% DV)
- 6 ug selenium (11% DV)
- 0.4 milligrams thiamin (33% DV)
Flaxseed benefits
Flaxseeds are tiny, but the nutrition profile is robust. A 2019 review states that the “good” unsaturated omega-3 fats in flaxseeds act as an antioxidant and are the reason for the healthfulness of the seeds. The most promising research is in the areas of cardiovascular disease and cancer management.
Specifically, a meta-analysis of over 30 studies found that supplementing the diet with various flaxseed products is an effective way to lower both diastolic and systolic blood pressure, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular…
Read the full article here
