11 Amazing Benefits of Flaxseeds

This is one of my favorite foods to talk about: flaxseeds. The amazing benefits of flaxseeds are beyond what science can explain yet when we understand how God designed us and His foods – it all makes a beautiful story!

Flaxseeds – let me share why to add these to your diet and how to buy, store and prepare.

Flaxseed health benefits are greater than you can even imagine.

Then, as a special surprise, in the end, I’m going to share why flaxseed is mentioned in the book of Joshua. And why it’s so important. 

Why were flax seeds mentioned in the book of Joshua? 

Stay tuned to learn. You’re going to love the story!

As the biblical nutritionist, I’m on mission to help you understand how much God loves you and how much that love He has for you includes the foods He’s designed to eat and the way He created your body.

Grab a muffin! Today, I’m dropping seeds of information to keep you healthy.

If you’re reading this, perhaps you’ve already read the Treasures of Healthy Living Bible Study. This study is unique in that it gives you a wealth of biblically-based health information including Flaxseed.

Flaxseed is one of the many wonderful resources given to us by God to help us attain and maintain optimal health. If you haven’t read it already, click the link above to get your copy of this Bible study today.

Benefits of Flaxseeds to Your Health

Flaxseed may be super tiny, about the same size as a sesame seed yet it is a nutritional powerhouse. Flaxseeds have a huge impact on health.

These little seeds are bursting with health benefits, making them amazing for people who have/are:

• High blood pressure
• Hormonal issues
• Overweight
• Depression
• Cancer
• Dry eyes syndrome
• Restless leg syndrome
• Digestive problems
• Irregular bowel movements, constipation

What a broad range of health issues this tiny seed can help with!

A lady in her 60’s was in one of my Treasures of Healthy Living 12 week classes. After the week of fiber and flaxseeds she came back the next week all excited!  I wondered what had happened. She then explained how the last 10 years she was plagued with hot flashes almost all day and night long. She had not slept a full night for 10 years. After listening to me share about flax seeds she went home and tried it.

When I asked how much she took daily she replied ‘½ cup’!  Well that is more than I recommended and for her it worked perfectly. She felt like she had her life back and was so happy to sleep through the entire night without wrestling with covers and sweat!

Flaxseed!  It does wonders!

Flaxseeds for hormonal balance are so very effective. All ages need a hormonal shift to enjoy life more. Being able to help keep our hormones happy is one of the greatest health benefits of flaxseeds.

When it comes to cancer, many studies have shown flaxseed may help reduce the risk of prostate and breast cancer.

I’ll say it again: flaxseed is a nutritional powerhouse.

Benefits of Flaxseeds for Weight Loss

Flaxseed also helps with weight loss (you may have caught that one above). How does it help? Two ways. 

First, the fiber in this superfood helps with satiety, to prevent binge eating. Secondly, The lignan oils also help with the satiety and the hormones that create cravings. More flaxseeds fewer cravings.

There are two things I preach about when it comes to healthy living:

1. Protein
2. Fiber

Flaxseed has both.

Fiber is an essential nutrient for complete, optimal health. 

Because of the amount of fiber in flaxseed, it’ll help you with satiety (feeling fuller longer).

Flaxseed also has a load of protein, another important element in healthy foods.

And we can’t leave out they’re a wonderful source of omega 3 fatty acids!

So, we know flax seeds are exceptionally good for us, but how do we add them to our diet?

How to Use Flaxseeds

If this food is new to you there are simple ways to add flaxseeds to your diet. You can use it on your soups, burgers, cereals, and muffins. Most important is to add after cooking so the oils are still active and beneficial. When the seed is freshly milled and added prior to cooking the oils can be destroyed yet the fiber is still a benefit.

Your next question may be: How much flaxseed per day should I eat? 

Ideally, I suggest 3 tablespoons a day. This amount will safeguard your digestive health, keep hormones balanced, cancers in check and reduce blood pressure.

A dose of 3 tablespoons a day delivers 8 grams of fiber in your diet! Remember the health benefits of fiber? It protects the digestive system, feeds the microbiome, removes toxins, and helps you feel amazing physically and mentally.

What if you can’t get 3 tablespoons in a day? I recommend a minimum of 1 tablespoon per day of freshly milled flaxseed (2 if you can). Sound doable? I know you can!

This amount is for all ages.

How to Store and Prepare Flaxseeds

I store my flaxseed in a crock container, so they’re close by and ready to use. Buying and storing whole seeds is best. When needed mill the seeds fresh to add to a recipe. 

A small coffee grinder mill works perfectly. However, this inexpensive mini mill does a better job of milling flaxseeds.

Another option is to use a blender to make ground flaxseed. With a Vitamix blender use the dry blade. Otherwise with other blenders blend the seeds dry with no other ingredients. This will break up the seeds to be ready to use.

As always, keep food close to its natural form as possible. That’s why I recommend buying whole seeds. Not roasted, salted, flavored, or milled.

Another reason to freshly mill flaxseed is to preserve the natural oils.

You’ve heard of omega 3 fatty acids. Well, the oils in flaxseed are loaded with omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health, diabetes, weight loss, beautiful skin and healthy hormones. 

Another essential oil in this tiny powerhouse seed is alpha-linolenic acid. Although not familiar to most people essential oil is very important for protecting the heart.  And just another reason flaxseed has so many health benefits.

How to Eat Flaxseeds

Flaxseed is one of the easiest ingredients to add to everyday food. The key is to keep it on hand, get familiar with how to mill it, and enjoy it in a variety of ways.

The hard part is to remember to do it, especially when you’re creating a new habit.

Consider putting a sticky note on your refrigerator as a reminder for your daily dose of flaxseed.

So, how to eat flaxseed? Add flaxseed to:

• Steak
• Salad
• Soups
• Hamburgers
• Yogurt
• Peanut butter sandwich
• Muffins (Check out my Amazing Berry Berry Muffin recipe!)
• Potato salad
• Egg salad

Do you get it? Flaxseed can be added to every meal!

Ground flaxseed doesn’t have a strong flavor, so it doesn’t alter the flavors of favorite foods. Yet, it adds that powerhouse of nutrition and enhances the nutritive component of these dishes. 

I say add this to the diet of people of all ages.

Everybody needs flaxseed!

God has given this small seed to teach us a big lesson.

Benefits of Flaxseed in the Bible

I love the significance and symbolism of foods in the Bible. Every detail in biblical stories has a purpose for teaching or revelation.

The flaxseed significance happens in the book of Joshua.

In Joshua chapter 2, is the story of the Israelite spies going into Jericho and meeting Rahab. Remember, her home is on the outside wall. When men from the city seek out the Israelites to make trouble, she hides the spies on her roof under the stalks of flax.

She later sneaks them out through her window.

Why flax plants?

The symbolism of Flax in the Bible

It helps to understand the meaning of flax and what flax was used for during that time.

In biblical times, flax stalks were used for spinning and making rope, as well as in creating garments of linen.

Spinning, weaving, and making clothing/garments.

In Revelation 19:8 

It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Here in Revelation linen represented righteous acts of the saints or faith in Christ.

The flax plant was used to make linen garments. These garments would have been worn by the priests serving in the temple. The Israelite spies are hiding on Rahab’s roof underneath flax.

This represents them hiding under the righteousness and grace of God. 

Watch this video where I discuss more about the benefits of flaxseeds and its significance in the Bible:

If you’d prefer to listen to the teachings in this video, check out this podcast that discusses this topic.

In Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:11 it is prohibited for an individual to mix the wearing of wool and linen in the same garment. Why would that be? 

Wool represents works. Linen represents God’s grace.

Back to Rahab and the spies. This is why God provided the flax for the men to hide under on the roof. God is always protecting His own. 

But there’s even more! Flax would have also been used to make rope. Remember there is a rope in this story, too. Rahab helped the spies escape out of her window by letting them down on a rope.

It’s a powerful reminder that nothing is impossible in God’s almighty power. And yes, it is true – with God, NOTHING is impossible.

The next time your family wonders or asks why they are adding flaxseeds to their breakfast, remind them of the spies and Rahab. God always provides. 

Reap the Wonderful Benefits of Flaxseed Today and Everyday!

Isn’t learning about food in the Bible a blessing?

I could go on all day, but I think you’ve got it! God loves you and has provided foods like flaxseed for your good physically, mentally and spiritually.

Flaxseeds are packed with key ingredients for great health:

• Fiber
• Protein
• Omega 3 fatty acids
• Alpha-linolenic acid

Flax seeds are nutrition powerhouses. But more than that, they are very versatile.

They can have a great, positive impact on your health. I hope you’ll add them to your daily routine and reap the vast health benefits starting today!