Tag: Whole flax seeds

A tablespoon of whole flax seeds contains about 2.8 grams of dietary fiber. But while these tiny seeds are packed with nutrients, the question of whether there is any benefit to whole flax seeds remains debated due to a tough outer hull.

While flax seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, with a single tablespoon containing heart-healthy omega-3s, fiber, and lignans, eating them whole right out of the bag prevents your body from reaping these benefits. This is because the seeds' tough outer shell is not broken down during digestion, causing them to pass through your system largely undigested. To unlock the full nutritional potential, you must prepare them properly.

With a long history dating back over 6,000 years, flax seeds are widely praised as a nutritional powerhouse, but many people don't realize that the form they consume matters significantly for digestion. For optimal absorption of their powerful nutrients, ground flax seeds are more beneficial than whole seeds, which often pass through the body undigested.

Over 3,000 years ago, King Charlemagne was so convinced of the health benefits of flaxseed that he passed laws requiring his subjects to eat it. While you can eat whole flax seeds raw, doing so is not recommended because the body has difficulty digesting their tough outer shell. This means you miss out on most of their impressive nutritional value, including beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and lignans.

A 2005 study found that the bioavailability of flaxseed lignans is substantially enhanced by crushing and milling the seeds. So, can the body absorb flax seeds? The answer depends entirely on the form in which they are consumed.

Flax seeds have been cultivated for over 6,000 years and are a nutritional powerhouse. While celebrated for their omega-3s, fiber, and lignans, a common question is: **Is it necessary to soak flax seeds before eating?** The answer depends largely on whether the seeds are whole or ground.