Founded in 1991, granoVita UK brings a high-quality selection of healthy, nutritious, vegetarian and vegan foods. You check out their free from magazine here. granoVita takes in pride in sourcing all their ingredients from sustainably!
What is Linseed
First of all — “Linseed” and “Flaxseed” when produced as a food or supplement are both exactly the same thing. The marketing of the different names as health-food in different countries have given rise to much confusion. When it comes to food or health supplements in the UK the crop we grow is called “linseed”, which is why we still call our products linseed. However when the North Americans produce linseed for human consumption they call it “flaxseed”! Linseeds are tiny brown or golden seeds!
Ground linseeds have a shorter shelf life because of the volatile oils released when they are ground. However whole seeds will not be digested so it is advised to ground your linseed when you use them!
Using Linseed
I tried granoVita's Linseed plus to create some linseed cacao energy balls! You can see the recipe for these over on the recipe section of my website! (they are delicious!). Linseeds are gluten free and are prefect to use in baking as they have a pleasant nutty flavour. The protein content, combined with the gelling/bind-
ing properties of the soluble fiber found in ground linseed, make it ideal for incorporating into gluten free baked goods, or as a gluten free thickening agent.
One tablespoon of ground linseed combined with three tablespoons of water and allowed to gel can even be used as a substitute for an egg in baked goods.
Health benefits
Protein content
- Linseed is packed with protein!!
Dietary fiber
- Linseed meal is high in fibre, known to have potent cholesterol lowering qualities, therefore reducing a major risk factor for cardio-vascular disease.
- Insoluble dietary fibre reduces insulin resistance, is useful in treating constipation and helps maintain overall bowel health.
- Increased stool bulk, normalised bowel transit time, healthy gut flora, and production of short-chain fatty acids are all positive effects on the bowel of a high fibre diet.
- Low fibre diets are associated with many chronic diseases including inflammatory bowel disease,
heart disease, obesity, diabetes and colorectal cancer.
Cancer preventing
Linseed may protect women with risk of cancer by decreasing hormonal signalisation involved in the beginning of tumour development consuming lignans may lower the risk of endometrial cancer in post-menopausal women.
Rich Source of Omega 3
Linseed is an alternative to marine products. It is one of the richest sources of the plant-based ω-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Based on the results of clinical trials, epidemiological investigations and experimental studies, ingestion of ALA has been suggested to have a positive impact on Cardiovascular disease.
Pre-cracked for optimum nutritional benefits
Whole flaxseeds are hard and are difficult to crack even with careful chewing. If the flaxseed passes through the digestive tract unbroken, the body does not receive the full nutritional benefit. Grinding breaks up the seed, making it easier for the body to digest. Therefore, ground flaxseed provides more nutritional benefits than whole flaxseed.
Eating Linseeds can also....
Increase blood sugar levels - ideal for diabetics!
Can help with hypertension (high blood pressure)
Help women with menopausal symptoms