Flaxseed - Whole

Flaxseed

History and Curiosities

Flaxseed has its origins in the areas between the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. The first time flax seeds were grown in Egypt and Ethiopia, where they were highly valued for their textile fiber. The term lino, in fact, comes from the Greek linon which means \"thread\". 

The men spun the fibers of linen and then weaving and painting them; the ancient Egyptians used them to wrap mummies. 

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Together with textile fiber, flax was cultivated to obtain linseed oil, an oil with a thousand beneficial properties. Cooked linseed oil was used by the ancients in the composition of tempera to make the colors brighter and easier to use on canvas. 

In addition to its use in the technical field and in the food field, flax was often also used in the medical field for its many properties. 

Flaxseeds are an excellent emollient, refreshing and anti-inflammatory.

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Properties and Benefits

Flaxseeds are rich in fatty acids, including omega 3, omega 6 and 9. These acids only ideal for cholesterol reduction and for their anti-inflammatory properties.  If you are vegetarian or vegan, flaxseed can be a valid alternative to salmon and  blue fish. 

In addition to being a source of alpha linolenic acid, flaxseeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel in the body that helps slow down the absorption of fats and ensures a greater sense of satiety. Insoluble fiber ensures regular intestinal functioning, helping the digestion of food. 

The high presence of antioxidants, attribute to these small seeds the characteristic of delaying the aging of tissues and being a remedy against psoriasis.

In the cosmetic field, seed oil is among the best known. Many people already know that, when applied to the skin, linseed oil guarantees hydration and elasticity to the tissues. The oil can be used both on the face and on the body and in particular in the most dehydrated areas, such as elbows and knees.

Flaxseeds are also a panacea for hair. Minerals and omega 3 are precious elements to regenerate any type of hair, damaged, dry, broken and dull.  

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Recipes

Flax seeds can be eaten absolute raw, in soups and soups, or be cooked inside the bread dough or even slightly toasted to enrich, from a nutritional point of view, your dish. From these small seeds it is also possible to obtain a flour that is usually used in savory recipes, but especially in sweet recipes when, in the absence of eggs and gluten, we need to thicken and tie the dough.

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Flaxseeds are often added to enrich muesli in the morning, along with other seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower and even dried fruit. 

Do not forget the flaxseed oil, with a slightly bitter taste, is an excellent source of essential fatty acids and vitamins E.  It should always be used raw, therefore ideal for dressing salads and vegetables. 

A recipe for you: Breaded chicken breasts with flaxseed

Breading, frying and crusting are an excellent method to make even the most difficult and demanding palates eat anything. But to do this we do not necessarily have to grease ourselves with fat: we can also do it in a healthy way. One of them is precisely the chicken breast with flaxseed. Try for example to cover some chicken breasts with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, flax seeds and ginger powder: you will get an exotic and fresh dish, light and healthy, also thanks to the extraordinary properties of flax seeds.

www.agrodolce.it 

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Contraindications

For flaxseeds, as for all other oilseeds, it is not recommended to take them in large quantities. Flaxseeds are contraindicated in case you suffer from diverticulitis.

How to store flaxseeds 

Unlike oil, flax seeds are better preserved, as they do not go rancid. 

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