Health & Nutrition
FLAXSEED POWDER – HEALTH BENEFITS & APPLICATION IN FOOD INDUSTRIES
Flaxseeds are commonly known as linseed or flax, which is obtained from a flowering plant, Linum usitatissimum, belonging to the family Linaceae. These are considered one of the oldest crops of India and are mostly cultivated in temperate regions. These plants are mostly cultivated as fibre and food crops. There are two types of flaxseeds – brown and golden coloured.
Flaxseeds are good source of antioxidants, fibre, good fat. These seeds are also considered as Functional foods, as they help in boosting the health once consumed.
Now a days, flaxseeds are consumed in the form of whole seeds, powder, oil, capsules. Flaxseeds are consumed as dietary supplement to prevent diabetes, constipation. Flaxseeds are also used to reduce high cholesterol levels, heart diseases and cancer.
Flaxseeds also contains proteins, PUFA like omega 3 fatty acids and alpha linolenic acid. These nutrients can help in lowering the risk of various health conditions once consumed.
HEALTH BENEFITS
- Excellent source of nutrients
- Reduces the risk of heart diseases
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- Reduces cholesterol levels
- Reduces blood pressure
- Maintains blood sugar levels
- Helps in weight management
APPLICATIONS IN FOOD INDUSTRY
Flaxseeds are considered as the most useful oilseed crops for food, fibre and animal feed industries. The stem of flaxseed plant has good amount of fibre which is having durability and high strength. The flaxseeds are also a rich source of high-quality proteins, alpha linolenic acid, lignans, omega 3 fatty acids, soluble fibre and phenolic compounds. All these qualities make flaxseeds as functional food ingredient in the food industries. Lignans are anti-carcinogenic in nature. Omega 3 and lignan phytoestrogens present in flaxseeds may possess properties that are beneficial to humans and animals. The nutritional benefits, disease preventing properties of flaxseeds make them a good choice for food, fibre, feed processing industries.
SIDE EFFECTS/DEMERITS
Over consumption of flaxseed powder may result in,
- Hormone sensitive cancers
- Allergic reactions
- Bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach ache
- Constipation
- Intestinal obstruction
COMPARISION WITH OTHER SEEDS WITH SAME PROPERTIES
Flaxseeds can be consumed as an alternative for chia seeds and hemp, as flaxseeds are
Rich in antioxidants – helps in protecting the cells in the body, by fighting against free radicals.
Rich source of protein – helps to provide adequate protein intake for the vegetarian/vegan people, as these are a great source of plant-based protein for vegetarian/vegan people.
Rich source of fibre – acts as a prebiotic feed for the beneficial gut micro flora.
Rich source of omega 3 fatty acids – reduces blood pressure by lowering the inflammation in the body. Prevents heart diseases by lowering the cholesterol in the body.
REFERENCES
- Flaxseed: A Potential Source of Food, Feed and Fiber K. K. Singh a , D. Mridula a , Jagbir Rehal a & P. Barnwal a a Food Grains and Oilseeds Processing Division , Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology , PAU Campus, 141 004, Ludhiana, India Published online: 03 Mar 2011. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/50352915_Flaxseed_A_Potential_Source_of_Food_Feed_and_Fiber/link/563b49ec08ae45b5d2863915/download
- https://www.ocl-journal.org/articles/ocl/full_html/2018/03/ocl170043/ocl170043.html
- https://www.google.com/search?q=flaxseed+wikipedia&ei=yj29Yp6yMNvz-QaIr6mgDA&oq=flaxseed+wiki&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMYADIFCAAQkQIyBgAEB4QFjIGCAAQHhAWMgYIABAeEBYyBggAEB4QFjoHCAAQRxCwAzoKCC4QsQMQgwEQQzoECC4QQzoHCAAQsQMQQzoECAAQQzoKCAAQsQMQgwEQQzoFCAAQgAQ6BwgAEIAEEApKBAhBGABKBAhGGABQzgdY9yNglFloAXABeACAAY0CiAGsCJIBBTAuMi4zmAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-flaxseeds#TOC_TITLE_HDR_11
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263405#benefits-
- https://www.google.com/search?q=flaxseed+powder&oq=flaxseed&aqs=chrome.1.69i59l2j46i131i433i512l2j0i512j0i433i512l3j0i131i433i512.10863j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
FLAXSEED POWDER-HEALTH BENEFITS & APPLICATION IN FOOD INDUSTRY