Flaxseed for Diabetes: 7 Science-Backed Benefits

Flaxseed may not save you from a lot of flak (okay we admit, that wasn’t a very good joke). However, did you know that flaxseed can help you control diabetes? Well, as incredible as it may sound, it’s true! Flaxseed has many health benefits, and one of them is controlling diabetes. Before you stare awestruck at the screen, scroll down and learn how flaxseed can help you in this regard.

What Is Flaxseed?

Flaxseed is a fiber crop that grows in the cooler parts of the world. Flaxseed has long been used as an oil, a textile material, and a food ingredient. It boasts of many medicinal properties as well (1).

Following are the reasons flaxseed is one of the ideal foods for treating diabetes.

1. Low Glycemic Food:

Flaxseed is a food item that has a low glycemic index. This means that flaxseed can help stabilize your blood sugar levels. Typically, blood sugar levels witness sharp upturns when you eat sugary foods.

2. Whole Grain:

Whole grains typically take some time to break down. Because of this, the body gets more nutrition for longer. Moreover, the low-glycemic index value also ensures that your blood sugar level is under control.

3. Rich Fiber Source:

One of the reasons flaxseed makes you feel full for long is the high fiber content. Dietary fiber helps fill your stomach without adding any unwanted calories.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which satiate your brain and help you control food cravings. Many of us don’t consume enough omega-3 fatty acids in our diet. Omega-3 is essential, and our bodies cannot produce omega 3; hence, we need to get it from what we eat.

5. High Protein Content:

The high protein content of flaxseed helps the body get nutrition and keeps the blood sugar levels under control. With more protein in the diet, the body feels satiated for longer, and it helps kill those food cravings.

6. Lignan-Rich:

Lignans are special ingredients in flaxseeds that help keep your body healthy. Lignans promote pancreas health, which in turn has a direct effect on how your body manages insulin. Insulin control is essential for people who suffer from diabetes. So, eating flaxseed will not only keep you full for long, but also helps regulate your body’s insulin levels.

7. Prevents Blood Sugar Spikes:

The many constituents of flaxseeds help lower blood sugar and promote better insulin management. Flaxseed thus helps prevent blood sugar spikes, and its low glycemic index and high dietary fiber content make it ideal for diabetic patients. Moreover, it heals your body and protects it from complications due to diabetes. Not only can flaxseed help stabilize blood sugar levels for longer periods, but it has many other health benefits for your body. Research says that the lignans in flaxseed improve blood sugar values and keep its levels in control.

Other Health Benefits:

Apart from the health benefits of flaxseeds we just mentioned, there are several others:

• Research indicates that consuming flaxseeds can help prevent breast, prostate and colon cancers.
• Eating flaxseed helps you keep your cholesterol levels under check. This is another added benefit for diabetic patients.

Using Flaxseed:

• Experts believe it’s better to consume flaxseeds and not the flaxseed oil.
• Whole flaxseed passes through the tract undigested. So, grind flaxseed at home. Use one of the electric grinders to do the job; they seem to work best.
• Don’t get confused about different product names. Milled or ground flaxseed is the same.

• While golden flaxseed is better looking, the brown flaxseed is the commonly available version.

We hope you found this information useful. Do you have any tips to control diabetes? Have you used flaxseed before? Tell us here.