I put flax seeds in my bread and waffle batter. Are they digestable that way or do I need to chop them first?

Question

I'm worried that since they too small to bit into easily, that they might just pass through and I won't get the health benefits of flax.

Answer 1

You get a small amount of benefit from whole, cooked flax. Mostly it is undigestible fiber, which acts to keep the bowels moving.

The best way to use flax is to grind it fresh daily. It's a lot of bother and you must establish a routine or you won't do it. Most people get good results buying an inexpensive coffee bean grinder and keeping it on the counter.

An easier alternative is to purchase ground flax at your health food store. It will usually be frozen or refrigerated. Sprinkle this on your yogurt, on top of your oatmeal (after it has been cooked, right before you eat it). It has a nutty, pleasant flavor.

The best way to take flax oil is to purchase a good quality liquid (in the refrigerated case). I like Barlean's because it has high lignan content. Again, it has a nutty flavor but with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Some people like it, some don't. You can hide the bitterness by making salad dressing out of it. Just substitute it for olive oil in your favorite vinaigrette recipe. It must be kept cold and used by the expiration date.

Barlean's also now makes a flax oil capsule. It is harder to digest, very difficult to get a high dose because you have to take so many. But if you just can't handle the oil, don't think you'll keep up the grinding, it is of some benefit to take the soft gel capsules.

Answer 2

The will digest that way, but they have already lost all the health benefits since you cooked them.. except for the fiber.

When you heat EFA's ( the oil in flax seeds) it causes the oil to go rancid. What I do is grind the seeds in a coffee mill and add that to smoothies or sprinkle it on foods that have already been cooked. You can also get the oil in capsules or by the cold pressed oil and make salad dressing or add to smoothies. I take mine in pill form as it tastes too fishy for my taste.


Cooking flax seeds kills all the health benefits.


Hope that helps.

Alex