The media often portrays items which are labeled as \u201csuperfoods\u201d as something magical that will change your life if consumed.\u00a0One such superfood that people supposedly believe increases your health benefits is flax seed. Even though flax seeds are advertised as a food that can be beneficial to your health, based on scientific research, they are really just something blown up through advertising and are not really worth the hype or the money.<\/p>\n
Due to the fact that it is high in fiber and contains mucilage, a gummy material, they both expand when they come in contact with water, making a person feel full.\u00a0The consumption of flax seeds has been increased due to its amazing health benefits. However, research shows that its chronic consumption may offer risks considering the effects of lignans in men and in pregnant women, as well as the existence of other phytochemicals and toxic factors with adverse health effects in the seed. Flax seed marketers claim that flax seeds have so many health benefits, but what they do not mention is that the body\u2019s conversion of the omega-3 fatty acids found in flax seed oil into the more complex EPA and DHA of fish oil is very inefficient. The dose of flax seed oil found in a single pill failed to raise blood levels of omega-3s other than ALA. The National Library of Medicine claims that flaxseed oil does not significantly reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, even though there is evidence for other possible benefits, they are claimed to be insufficient to draw any kinds of conclusions (Tufts University, 2012). There are also concerns with the commercialization of genetically engineered (GE) flax which includes potential movement of transgenes by pollen and seed, and subsequent introgression with weedy and wild relatives, impact on non-target organisms, and changes in biodiversity (Jhala, Weselake, & Hall 2009).<\/p>\n
Flax seed contains 264-354 mg of cyanogenic compounds per 100 g of seeds. Cyanogenic compounds are toxic to the human organism and large amounts may be lethal to adult individuals. Although these items found in flax seeds are toxic, if cooked in microwaves or boiled, the toxins are released through this process (Cardoso Carraro, Dantas, Espeschit, Martino, Ribeiro, 2012). Moreover, flax seeds may cause obstruction of the esophagus, intestines or bowel if taken in large doses or without enough liquid.\u00a0 Consuming large amounts of flax seeds may also have estrogen-like effects, and women taking flax seed daily may experience changes in menstruation (Cardoso Carraro, Dantas, Espeschit, Martino, Ribeiro, 2012).<\/p>\n
Flax seeds provide many health benefits and therefore are labeled as a superfood, but consumers are also encouraged to be cautious when consuming large amounts because some studies claim they can be harmful to the body. Flax seeds are an excellent source of fiber and are advertised as something that can be beneficial to curing certain types of diseases. The word superfood has become a popular term in our society today, but there is no technical definition of the word and no scientific evidence for the health effects of these foods is really present. To conclude, flax seeds are really just something blown up through advertising and they are not really worth the hype. If someone eats a diet based on a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits and vegetables, then this too will have the same effect as \u201csuperfoods\u201d claim to have.<\/p>\n
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References:<\/p>\n
Cardoso Carraro, J. C., Dantas, M. S., Espeschit, A. R., Martino, H. D., & Ribeiro, S. R. (2012). Flaxseed and human health: reviewing benefits and adverse effects. Food Reviews International<\/i>, 28<\/i>(2), 203-230. doi:10.1080\/87559129.2011.595025<\/p>\n
Jhala, A. J., Weselake, R. J., & Hall, L. M. (2009). Genetically engineered flax: potential benefits, risks, regulations, and mitigation of transgene movement.\u00a0Crop Science,\u00a049<\/i>(6), 1943-1954<\/p>\n
Khalesi, S., Irwin, C., & Schubert, M. (2015). Flaxseed consumption may reduce blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials 1-3.\u00a0The Journal of Nutrition,\u00a0145<\/i>(4), 758-765E.<\/p>\n
Ryszard M. Koz\u0142owski, Agnieszka Kr\u0119gielczak, Dana G. Radu, Andreea I. Pag & Cecilia S\u00eerghie (2014) Flax seeds\u2013source of biomedical and food products, molecular crystals and liquid crystals, 603:1, 122-135, DOI: 10.1080\/15421406.2014.968076<\/p>\n
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The media often portrays items which are labeled as \u201csuperfoods\u201d as something magical that will change your life if consumed.\u00a0One such superfood that people supposedly believe increases your health benefits is flax seed. Even though flax seeds are advertised as … Continue reading