Is it safe to eat whole flax seeds?

Is it safe to eat whole flax seeds?

Flax seeds are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, fiber, and protein. However, whole flax seeds don’t fully break down in your gut, so it’s best to eat them ground to reap the most nutritional benefit. Using a coffee grinder is the easiest, most convenient way to grind flax seeds.

Is it necessary to roast flax seeds?

Roasting or grinding flaxseeds breaks the hard seed coat, which is very difficult to break while chewing. The nutrients of flaxseed are contained within the seed, so breaking the seed coat will make the nutrients easier for you to digest.

How long does it take to digest Whole flax seeds?

To optimize digestion and absorption of nutrients, it is best to consume ground flax seed. The exact digestion time varies depending on the individual. Typically, it takes 6 to 8 hours for the flax seed to move through the stomach and small intestine.

Do you have to grind flax seeds or can I eat them whole?

On the other hand, if you eat the flax seeds whole you probably won’t digest them very well. The best way to consume flax seeds is to buy them whole and either sprout them before you eat them or freshly grind them just before you eat them. If eaten whole, flax seeds may pass through the body without even being absorbed.

What foods have flax seeds?

Once found only in health food stores, flax seeds are now sold in major grocery stores. Flax seeds can be purchased whole, ground and as an ingredient in breads, cereals, crackers, energy bars, muffins and frozen waffles. Whole flax seeds are sold in sealed packages or in bulk.

Do You benefit from Whole flax seeds?

While eating them whole will not harm you, they will also not provide as much benefit as ground flax seeds. Whole flax seeds will simply pass through your digestive system without providing any nutritional benefit since your body will not break them down. Grinding the flax seeds allows your body to access the nutrients they contain.