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International Journal of Pharmacognosy & Chinese Medicine Research Article 8 min read

Flax Seeds and Their Role in Human Health

Poonuru RR*, Maduri A, Bharatha R, Sairi M, Mundrathi A and Chandragiri P
* Corresponding author
ISSN: 2576-4772  10.23880/ipcm-16000249  Received: July 14, 2023  Published: September 27, 2023
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Keywords
Flaxseeds Alpha-Linolenic Acid Lignans Dietary Fibre Omega-3-Fatty Acid
Abstract

When it arrives at human health benefits flax seeds play an essential part. Flax seed or linseed (Linum usitatissimum) derived from flax plants has several medicinal properties when consumed. Flaxseeds are abundant in lignans, linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, secoisolariciresinol, and other nutrients and proteins that aid in the prevention of illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Linen fibre is derived from flax plants, which are employed in the textile industry, in addition to nutritional advantages. Flax seeds are utilized in a variety of food processing products (bakery, dairy, snack, fermented) because they have physicochemical, phytochemical, and sensory qualities. Flax seed is a potential nutraceutical that may be used to make preventive, therapeutic, and medicinal foods. Flax seeds are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This article addresses the nutritional health benefits and dietary fibre of flax seeds.

Chemical Composition of Flaxseeds

Various chemicals are present in the flax seeds shown in the Tables 2-7 stratified based on their nature [2].

MineralsMilligrams Per 100 Grams of Flax Seeds
Calcium2.36
copper1
iron5
magnesium431
phosphorus622
potassium831
sodium27
Zinc4

Table 2: Minerals and their weight present in 100 grams of flax seeds.

VitaminsMilligrams Per 100 Grams of Flax Seeds
Ascorbic acid/vitamin c0.5
Niacin/nicotinic acid3.2
Pantothenic acid0.6
Pyridoxine/vitamin B60.6
Riboflavin/vitamin B20.2
Amino acidsGrams per 100 grams of flax seeds
Aspartic acid9.3
Arginine9.2
Cysteine1.1
Histidine2.2
Isoleucine4
Methionine1.5
Leucine5.8
Lysine4
Proline3.5
Serine4.5
Threonine3.6
Tryptophan1.8
Tyrosine2.3
Valine4.6
Amino acidsGrams Per 100 Grams of Flax Seeds
Aspartic acid9.3
Arginine9.2
Cysteine1.1
Histidine2.2
Isoleucine4
Methionine1.5
Leucine5.8
Lysine4
Proline3.5
Serine4.5
Threonine3.6
Tryptophan1.8
Tyrosine2.3
Valine4.6

Table 3: Vitamins and their weight present in 100 grams of flax seeds.

Milligrams Per 100 Grams of Flax Seeds
Neutral arabinoxylan fraction1.2
Rhamnogalacturonan fraction0.4

Table 4: Carbohydrates and their weight present in 100 grams of flax seeds.

Grams per 100 grams of flax seeds
Soluble fibres4.3-8.6
Insoluble fibres12.8-17.1

Table 5: Carbohydrates and their weight present in 100 grams of flax seeds.

Introduction
History: The flaxseed plant originated thousands of years
Time Span
Development
30,000 BC
Flax fabric fibres were found in turkey
6000 BC
Linseed first recorded for food consumption
2000 BC
Babylonians used flax threads for weaving
1000 BC
Egyptians used linseed oil for preserving the body after death and linen fibre used to wrap mummies
500 BC
Hippocrates used linseed as medicine for digestion and laxative
800 AD
Emperor Charliemagne officially passes the law to the people of France to grow and consume linseed for their health
1600 AD
Nicolas Culpeper, herbalist explained cold drawn processes from linseed as treatment for inflammation tumours and infections
1940 AD
Flax plants are grown for fibre which is used for parachute harness and clothing
1950 AD
In modern era linseed is used as functional food. Johanna Budwig followed combine cold-press linseed oil cottage cheese in treatment of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and digestion. Catherine Kousmine prescribed cold-press linseed oil for diet in India. Flax is cultivated for fibres and oil
Fatty acidsGrams Per 100 Grams of Flax Seeds
Palmitic acid2.1
Oleic acid7.3
Steric acid1.3
Linolic acid23
Alpha linolic acid22.8

Table 1: History of discovery and usage of flax seeds.

Nutritional Benefits

Flax seeds contain many nutrients and nutraceuticals which provide health benefits to human beings and animals. It consists of polyunsaturated fatty acids, ω-3- fatty acids, Dietary fibres, lignans, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids [3].

10 grams of flax seeds contain 55 calories of energy, 7% of water, 1.9 % of proteins, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 0.2 grams of sugars, 2.8 grams of fibre and 4.3 grams of fat. The percentage contribution by various nutrients is shown in Figure 1 [4, 5].

Figure 1: Nutrients and their percentage contribution.
Click to enlarge
Figure 1: Nutrients and their percentage contribution.

Micronutrients

Flax seeds are the source of vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium and are also abundant in vitamins like Niacin and tocopherols (α, β, γ) [6].

Omega-3-Fatty Acids

Flax seeds rich source of omega -3- fatty acids i.e., ACA (53%), oleic acid (19%), linolic acid (17%), palmitic acid (5%), stearic acid (3%), among these ACA has greater bioavailability, omega fats are omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids. 3 types of ω-3- fatty acids include linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). By intake of omega-3-fatty acids, it helps to reduce B.P. in hypertension Patients. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for humans. Flaxseed oil contains high antioxidants such as tocopherols, beta-carotene. Flaxseed oil gets easily oxidized after extraction and purification [7].

Dietary Fibre

Flax fibres consist 25 % of soluble and insoluble dietary fibres, 75 % of soluble fibre fractions of are mucilage gum and insoluble fibre fractions consist of cellulose and lignin contributing 75 percentage. 1 gm of soluble fibre and 3 gm of insoluble fibres increases the daily fibre intake in a daily diet of 10 g of flaxseed [8].

Lignans

These are plant compounds present in almost all plants and have antioxidant, antifungal properties. Also acts as phytoestrogens, which are similar to the female sex hormone estrogen. Lignans have anticancer properties for reducing the growth of cancerous tumors. These are fermented by bacteria and reduce the growth of cancers like breast, uterus and prostate cancer. Lignans are 800 times more in flaxseed when compared with other plant foods. Lignan content composed of secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG) lariciresinol and pinoresinol [9].

Proteins

The protein content of flaxseed is 18%. Flax seeds are a good source of plant-based protein. They are rich in amino acids- Arginine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Flaxseed protein improves immunity, prevents cancer, lower cholesterol and has antifungal property. It comprises 80% of globulins (linin, Conlinin) and 20% glutelin. They lack amino acid- lysine hence called incomplete protein [10].

Carbohydrates

Most of the carbohydrate in flaxseed is fibre. This fibre regulates blood cholesterol and boosts immunity and makes a feeling of fullness after eating [11]. Other carbohydrates come from sugar [12].

Vitamins and Minerals

Flax seeds are a good source of both vitamins and minerals. Thiamine- water-soluble vitamin needed by body Niacin. Vitamin B6 and folate are present in high content essential for the functioning of nerves. Minerals in flax seeds include mainly Copper, important for growth and functioning, Magnesium and Molybdenum [13].

Health Benefits and Medicinal Value of Flax Seeds

Flax seeds provide several health benefits to mankind as shown in Table 8.

ConstituentHealth Benefit
Omega-3-fatty acidReduces blood pressure and chances of heart attack and stroke [14]. It has
antioxidant, anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities [15].
ProteinsHave properties of lowering cholesterol [16] dyslipidemia prevention [17], improving
immunity, preventing tumors [18], preventing hypersensitivity and show antifungal
properties.
Dietary fibresRegulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels and suppress hunger [19]. Provide
glycemic control [20]. Insoluble fibres prevent constipation [21].
Vitamins and MineralsDecrease blood pressure and elicit antioxidant properties [22].
LignansReduce the risk of all cancers, control hypertension [23] and other cardiovascular
diseases and elicit antioxidant properties [24]
Omega -3-fatty acid, lignans, dietary
fibres.		Improve heart health and protect skin from harmful radiations and decrease the hot
flashes in post-menopausal women [25].

Table 6: Health Benefits and Medicinal Value of Flax Seeds.

Miscellaneous Applications of Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are consumed in different forms which help to treat health problems [26].

  1. Flaxseed tea used against cough, asthma, bronchitis [27].
  2. Flaxseed drink used against/ helps out in constipation [28].
  3. Flaxseed flour strengthens the nervous system, improves memory, cures mental illness and cures abdominal pain and stomach ulcers [29].

Flax seeds also reduce osteoporosis [30], aid in losing weight, reduce hair loss, prevent diarrhea and constipation and also used in conditions like acne, sore throat, respiratory tract infections and kidney problems.

Conclusion

Functional food and nutraceutical provide reduce the burden on the health system. Plant foods have greater importance in health care. Flaxseed is one of the emerging food which has nutritive and functional ingredients. Many clinical trials proved that flax seed constituents provide preventive and therapeutic benefits. These are used as herbal medicines which consist of a high amount of lignan, alpha-linolenic acid, fibre. Also have greater potential in the prevention of diseases like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis. Being a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid, it reduces serum and LDL concentration. Every part of the flax plant is used therefore it results in no wastage.

References

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@article{poonuru2023,
  title   = {Flax Seeds and Their Role in Human Health},
  author  = {Poonuru RR, Maduri A, Bharatha R, Sairi M, Mundrathi A and Chandragiri P},
  journal = {International Journal of Pharmacognosy & Chinese Medicine},
  year    = {2023},
  volume  = {7},
  number  = {2},
  doi     = {10.23880/ipcm-16000249}
}
Poonuru RR, Maduri A, Bharatha R, Sairi M, Mundrathi A and Chandragiri P (2023). Flax Seeds and Their Role in Human Health. International Journal of Pharmacognosy & Chinese Medicine, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.23880/ipcm-16000249
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Flax Seeds and Their Role in Human Health
AU  - Poonuru RR, Maduri A, Bharatha R, Sairi M, Mundrathi A and Chandragiri P
JO  - International Journal of Pharmacognosy & Chinese Medicine
PY  - 2023
VL  - 7
IS  - 2
DO  - 10.23880/ipcm-16000249
ER  -