What is Flax Seed?
Flax is an annual plant (grain) that grows from 12 to 48 inches in height. Its sky-blue flowers bloom only during the morning hours.
Flax Seed, or linseed as it is called in some parts of the world, consists of the dried, ripe seeds of the fruit, a globular capsule about one quarter of an inch long. The flat, brown and glossy seeds contain up to 10 percent mucilage, as well as very high levels of linolenic acid (an omega-3 fat) and lignans as well as some protein.
Brown flax seed is grown primarily for the use of linseed oil, animal consumption, and paint products. The golden flax seed is grown for the food market. The nutty flavor of Gold Flax Seed blends well with many baked products and with many day-to-day snack items such as yogurt and cereal.
Flax seed is not a supplement, but a pure natural, low carb, low fat, high fiber, and heart-healthy food. Flax Seed is also a great source for Omega 3.
The Gold Flax Seed grown in North Dakota is considered to be highest quality flax in the world.
Flax Seed is well known for its many health benefits. In fact, many doctors recommend flax seed for people with high cholesterol, arthritis and many other health conditions.
Flaxseed and the flour derived from flaxseed are increasingly being used in breads, cereals, and bakery products to provide a pleasant nutty flavor and to increase the nutritional and health benefits of the final product.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is one of the world's oldest cultivated plants. In times past, flax was grown for its oil-bearing seed and for its fiber. Linen cloth woven from flax has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. Records from early civilizations reveal that flax was also used internally as a mild laxative and for its soothing action on irritated mucous membranes. Flax was also applied to the skin as a poultice for the treatment of local inflammations and the relief of pain.
The present popularity of flax was spurred by the research findings that flax is a rich source of Omega-3. Clinical studies have shown that ground flax seed is useful for protection against cancer and for lowering the risk of heart disease in patients with elevated blood cholesterol levels. Flaxseed also has been reported to have glucose-reducing effects.
What is the Best Way to Eat Flax Seed?
The ideal way to consume flax seed is by grinding it right before you consume it. Just put the seed into a grinder, a bean grinder like you would use for your coffee beans, and grind it for about 30-45 seconds. The less you grind it the grittier it will be and the longer you grind it the more powdery it becomes.
Add (sprinkle or mix in) your ground flax on to some of your favorite foods. Some people like to put it into shakes, sport drinks, yogurt, and cereal, while others put their flax seed into more conventional foods like pizza, burgers, salad, and soups. Whatever you desire you can put the flax seed into it!
If you don't have time to grind your flax seed the next option is to buy it preground for you. At Gold Flax Seed we offer the flax seed in cold milled form and also in sprinkle form. Both are easy to use and maintain their nutrional value and Omega-3 component for more than two years.