Can i eat flax seeds whole

In order to get the omega 3-fatty acid benefit of the flaxseeds, you must chew the seeds very well or grind them. In terms of storage, whole flax seeds can be kept at room temperature for up to 10 months. Ground flaxseeds or flax meal — All nutritional benefits omega 3-fatty acids, fibre, and lignans of flaxseeds are obtained when eaten ground.

Ground flaxseeds are best stored in the fridge or freezer for no longer than 3 months after opening. If grinding the seeds yourself, grind as needed to prevent spoilage. There are approximately 1. Flax oil — Flax oil is extracted from the whole flax seed. It is sold as oil or in gel supplements.

It is best to keep flax oil in a cool, dark place — ideally in the refrigerator. It is an excellent source of omega 3-fatty acids, but it contains neither the lignans nor the fibre, as they are removed during the process of oil extraction. Flax seeds — a good source of fiber and healthy fats — can be eaten in various forms, including toasted, baked and ground. Consuming them raw is generally safe, but can lead to stomach upset for some people. Read more: Bad Side Effects of Flaxseed.

In addition to being a strong source of essential fatty acids, otherwise known as omega-3s, flax seeds are high in fiber and lignans, phytochemicals that may boost the immune system and cut risks of disease. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that flax seeds may improve digestive health, reduce inflammation, help lower your cholesterol level and reduce the risk of heart disease, but more research is needed to confirm these benefits.

Eating them ground up can enhance the health benefits of flax seeds. According to Mayo Clinic, whole flax seeds can pass through your digestive system undigested, meaning you miss out on its nutritional benefits.

Ground flax seed is digested much more easily. The United States Department of Agriculture doesn't point out any nutritional differences between raw and toasted or baked flax seeds. A tablespoon of ground seeds has 37 calories, 1 gram of protein, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, trace amounts of sugar, 2 grams of sodium and no cholesterol, according to the USDA.

Its relatively high fiber content and low calorie count make raw, ground flax seed a smart choice for weight loss plans, since fiber is one nutrient that can help you feel satisfied and stay full for a long time. You must eat flax seeds ground to most effectively absorb their omega-3 fatty acids and other primary nutrients. However, it's typically fine to eat the seeds raw.

However, whole flax seeds have a tough outer hull that keeps them from breaking down in your digestive tract. Ground flax seeds are available to purchase at grocery stores or online. Still, if you want to grind your own flax seeds, there are many ways to do so.

You can use a blender or food processor to grind flax seeds. Many people have at least one of these appliances at home. To grind flax seeds with a blender, add 1 cup grams of flax seeds to the device and blend for a few minutes, or until the flax is ground to your desired consistency.

With a food processor, add at least 1 cup grams of flax seeds and grind until they reach your desired consistency. This may take several minutes.

However, using a blender or food processor is time-consuming, and you have to grind large amounts at once. Other methods allow you to grind small batches. Flax seeds can be ground using a blender or food processor, but you have to grind in batches of at least 1 cup grams at a time. Using a coffee grinder is the easiest, most convenient way to grind flax seeds. To grind flax seeds in this way, add whole seeds up to the fill level of a coffee grinder that you specifically use for flax seeds and power it on.

It should only take a few seconds for the seeds to be fully ground. Additionally, using a coffee grinder allows you to only grind the amount you need — helping to limit waste. One is a flax mill, which is a specialized kitchen tool made solely for grinding flax by hand.

It looks like a pepper grinder. In fact, you can even use a pepper grinder to grind flax seeds once it has been emptied and cleaned so that no pepper residue remains. Finally, you can use a mortar and pestle to grind flax seeds by hand.

Use the pestle the club-shaped object to crush the flax seeds against the mortar the bowl to grind them. These options allow you to grind up to 1 tablespoon of flax seeds at a time.