Flaxseed flour: properties, benefits and recipes
For many years, the flax plant has been known mainly in some industries, among which textile and wood ones stand out. Today, however, its properties and benefits on a dietary level are increasingly recognized. In fact, flaxseed flour can be used in many recipes, both of a cosmetic nature and to mitigate or monitor some health problems of our body. For example, this food falls under the super food that help us keep cholesterol low, which you can find out in this short video.
As its name indicates, this flour is obtained by grinding the seeds of the homonymous plant.
To see it, it stands out from many other flours for its coarse grain and because it is dark yellow in color. In addition, this product is greasy to the touch.
Thanks to its multiple properties, flaxseed flour is also defined as a nutraceutical food, in the sense that it is simultaneously a food rich in benefits for the body and an authentic natural drug.
One of the main characteristics of flaxseed flour consists in maintaining all the beneficial properties of the seeds unaltered, with respect to which it has the non-negligible advantage of being easily absorbed by the intestine. In fact, although they too are excellent allies for health, flax seeds have a rather hard bark on the outside. Therefore, it is always advisable to soften them with a little water or another liquid before taking them to avoid the risk that their innumerable properties are not digested and not absorbed.
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The properties of flaxseed flour
The nutritional components that make flaxseed flour are as follows:
- Fatty acids
- Omega 3 and Omega 6
- Proteins
- Fibers
- Alpha linolenic acid
- Vitamins
- Minerals essential for the body (including magnesium, calcium and phosphorus)
In 100g of product 534 heat is contained, but what has made this flour famous are its high levels of protein and fiber. If the protein intake make it perfect for a vegetarian or vegan diet, the fibers make it an ally par excellence against constipation and intestinal irregularity. Furthermore, it has the advantage of containing few carbohydrates and of being rich in Omega 3, Omega 6 and fatty acids, including linolenic acid, which is good for the cell walls of our body.
The benefits of flaxseed flour
Thanks to all its properties, it is not surprising that this food brings a series of benefits to the body. First of all, those relating to its anti-inflammatory effects stand out, thanks to the high content of fatty acids and mineral salts. For this reason, it helps to combat diseases of the inflammatory system, such as excess phlegm and cough, and to relieve rheumatic pains.
Furthermore, flaxseed flour is known for stimulating the immune system which favors the defense against fungi and bacteria, also representing a good prevention for pathologies that can be linked to nutrition, such as diabetes and estrogen-dependent tumors.
As already mentioned, its high fiber intake helps improve intestinal activities, fighting the annoying symptoms associated with constipation. It is recommended to pay attention to the consumption of this food to all those people who suffer from irritable bowel because it could increase the dysfunction. Also thanks to its emollient action, it is an excellent natural remedy against cystitis.
Finally, this flour is rich in antioxidant properties that show their benefits not only "inside" our body, but also on the outside. In fact, they act to delay the formation of wrinkles, skin aging and hair loss. In this sense, the linseed oil mask that strengthens the hair and promotes shine is very famous.
Its use in the kitchen and in beauty
Flaxseed flour can be used in cooking in various ways. It is useful for preparing sweet or savory recipes, ranging from bread to biscuits and from cakes to bread sticks. However, its beneficial properties can also be assumed for external use. In fact, this food is increasingly chosen to carry out healing and wellness treatments. For example, those suffering from rheumatic pain, constipation or cough can resort to flaxseed flour packs. Likewise, they will be effective for skin and hair care.
Flaxseed pack: how to prepare it and what it is used for
As anticipated, in the form of a pack, this flour is an excellent natural remedy useful in the treatment of various skin infections, cough and excess phlegm, and rheumatism.
Recipe:
Pour 50 g of flaxseed flour into a saucepan and add the water until you get a creamy compress. Bring to a boil. When the mixture starts to boil, turn off and remove from the heat.
Pour the pack into a cotton or linen handkerchief on which you will have previously applied a piece of kitchen paper.
Fold the corners of the piece of paper and handkerchief over to allow everything to cool. Apply to the area of the body to be treated. For example, for coughs it is recommended to apply the compress while still warm directly on the chest, while for constipation or sinusitis on the forehead.
The uses of flaxseed flour in cooking
There are many recipes that use flaxseed flour as the main ingredient. In fact, with it you can cook everything, both sweet and salty, turning it into a superfood homemade.
1. Addition to sweet and savory doughs
The first of the uses of this product is very simple. In fact, it can be used in addition to other flours in the mixture of sweet or savory recipes. By doing so, flaxseed flour will lower the glycemic peak because, unlike normal, it has a low carbohydrate content.
For this reason, it is ideal for preparing savory products such as bread, focaccia and breadsticks or sweets, such as biscuits, pancakes, muffins, pies and low-fat and vegan cakes.
SWEETS
This flour is increasingly found in the preparation of low glycemic index biscuits or mixed with wholemeal in pancake and muffin dough. It can be combined with other oil seeds, such as sesame or poppy seeds, and with different types of fruit. Finally, it is possible to integrate flax flour into the dough of the cakes: the important thing is to add about 25% more yeast than required by the recipe.
SALTY
As for the salty doughs, it is sufficient to mix a quantity of flax flour equal to about 20-30% of the total flour used. It is advisable to prefer wholemeal, oat or kamut.
2. An excellent substitute for eggs, oil and butter
Together with yogurt or ricotta, flaxseed flour is ideal for replacing eggs and butter in various doughs or recipes. All this thanks to its high concentration of oils which leads it to act as a binder in various doughs and even in the preparation of sauces. Just sift it carefully and mix a tablespoon with three tablespoons of water. Thanks to its gluten-free nature, it will also be an excellent solution for celiacs, not just vegans.
3. Recipes to cleanse the intestine
As already mentioned, the rich supply of fibers of flaxseed flour is very useful to counteract constipation and intestinal irregularity. Therefore, many experts recommend using this food as the main ingredient of a purifying breakfast that will awaken once per all the so-called lazy intestine, in fact, to do so, it is necessary to completely purify one's organism.
Thus, it is recommended to consume flaxseed flour for three weeks, early in the morning, dissolved in water, yogurt or kefir, in order to amplify its effect. It would be best to start with a tablespoon of flour during the first week, and then increase during the other two weeks.
Where can flaxseed flour be found
This flour can easily be made at home from flax seeds, using a coffee grinder to mash them until a powder is obtained.
Alternatively, it can be purchased at a low price in organic food stores and herbalists. Since it is to be considered a natural drug, flaxseed flour can also be found in pharmacies or online at advantageous prices:
Zeta Flaxseed Flour 200g at € 3.26
Organic Flaxseed Flour 500g for € 3.38
Ki Organic Stone Ground Flaxseed Flour 500g for € 3.39
For more information on the properties of flax seeds, consult the Humanitas website.
