Flaxseed or alsi is something we all have heard of and is probably one the most commonly found ingredients in the Indian kitchen. But did you know that this tiny brown seed is capable of much more than just adding to the fibre content in your food. Quickly gaining popularity as a healthy remedy for constipation, flaxseed is an ingredient that can provide protection to an ailing heart as well.
Packed with components such as omega-3 fatty acids, lignans (that are rich in antioxidants and oestrogen) and fibre, alsi has amazing properties like reducing inflammation in the body, preventing oestrogen-related cancers, reducing the effects of menopause, helping diabetics maintain a healthy blood sugar level and protecting the heart from damage. (Read: Omega 3 fatty acids why you need them in your diet)
How it works
The tiny brown seeds have large amounts of antioxidants that help the heart repair itself and protect it from further damage. The omega-3 fatty acids helps lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and normalize one's heartbeat. The lignan compound present protects the heart from atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and reduces the amount of plaque build up in them.
Apart from this, the high fibre present in flaxseeds reduces the amount of 'bad cholesterol' or LDL cholesterol and increases the 'good cholesterol' or HDL cholesterol in the blood. (Read: 8 natural cholesterol busters)
Want to include this wonder seed into your diet? Here are some tips.
The best way to eat flaxseeds is to grind them into a fine powder and have one tablespoon every morning, with warm water on an empty stomach. If you are not too happy with eating the seeds like this, you could add them to your daily meals, sprinkle them on your salad or have them as a component of your meal in the form of flaxseed raita. Read about the health benefits of flaxseed.
Know your heart, love your heart
More and more Indians are falling prey to heart disease. There are various reasons for this including a sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition, pollution, smoking, drinking, a fatty diet and a general ignorance about what causes heart ailments. However, we at www.thehealthsite.com intend to fight that by covering every aspect of cardiovascular health including diet, expert advice, exercise, natural remedies, diagnosis and treatment, specific heart advice for women and more this month.
Check out ourHeart Health Pagefor more.
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