Flax seeds, commonly known as flax or linseeds, are small oilseeds of a flowering plant Linum usitatissimum in the family Linaceae. It is a fibre crop which is consumed as a food and has been used as a medicine since 5000 BC. Flax seeds have ample health and nutritional benefits therefore it has an increasing popularity throughout the world. Flax seeds have a pleasant nutty flavour which make it's a popular choice among people demanding delicious and healthful food.
Why Do We Need Linseed In Our Diet?
Linseeds are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and essential fatty acids which is a natural fit for better health diets. Flax seeds contain essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid which is consumed as a part of the diet. Flax seeds or Linseeds provide up to 700 times more lignans than any other foods as it is the richest plant sources for lignans. Researchers believe that lignans may slow down the progress of certain breast cancer and other cancers that need oestrogen to develop.
Soluble fibre present in linseeds promotes weight loss by reducing hunger and decreasing cravings. Consumption of linseed and linseed meal is an effective way to lower blood pressure. Health officials have approved that the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol can be reduced by consuming ground (milled) linseeds. Flax seeds are crushed to obtain flax oil for industrial applications and the leftover flaxseed meal is used as a protein supplement for livestock feeds. Various researches indicates that eggs and beef obtained from flax fed animals have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, hence feeding flax to livestock is of great interest.
Many horse owners and breeders add cooked, milled or soaked linseeds to equine diets, particularly if the horses are not fed on pasture for a long time. Balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in flax play a vital role for horse health. Colic in horses can also be prevented by linseeds. Flax can eliminate dull, dry coats in animals, and itching and scratching due to its high alpha-linolenic content.
Other uses of Linseed
Flax also plays an important role in the poultry industry. Poultry feed for hens containing flax is a superb way to increase the fat profile of the eggs. Consumers are attracted towards eggs with extra omega-3 fats who are seeking to balance the fats in their diets.
Linseed Suppliers
Major exporters of linseeds are Kazakhstan, Canada, India, Russia and China.
In India, Organic Products India is one of the top manufacturer and supplier of both organic and conventional brown linseeds and linseed meal or powder. Organic products India holds a major market share of linseeds therefore their prices are highly competitive.
Besides flax seeds and flax meal, Organic Products India also excels in supplying other organic products from India namely Organic Amaranth Seeds, Organic Psyllium Seeds/Husk/Powder, Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic spices and herbs etc.
