When it comes to gut health, flaxseeds pack a proper punch. Small in size, but colossal in health benefits, flaxseeds are loaded with dietary fibre, which can help promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation, keeping your digestive system functioning smoothly.
If you are unsure about how to incorporate flaxseed into your daily diet, look no further. We have put together a gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free recipe for nutrient-dense, healthy Fibre-rich flaxseed cookies.
Flaxseed has long been used as a gentle and natural relief for constipation, as it contains a particular type of fibre that can soften the stool and act as a natural laxative to help relieve constipation. One word of caution – whole flaxseed will come out the way it goes in. It cannot be broken down in your digestive tract, so is of little benefit to digestion. A better way to consume flaxseed is in its milled form. This way, the little seed has been cracked open to allow your body to access all the nutrition it contains, including the soluble fibre. Milling your flaxseeds is a must if you suffer from diverticular disease and get diverticulitis flare-ups.
Other benefits of flaxseeds
The fibre content in flaxseed is thought to help support and protect the lining of our gut, helping to soothe mucus membranes and reduce irritation. However, it is recommended that flaxseed is not taken during a flare-up of IBD as this can exacerbate symptoms in some people, so take it easy.
When introducing a new ingredient into your diet, it’s always advisable to start slowly and build up gradually. Start with a teaspoonful of milled flaxseed every other day and build up slowly to see if it works for you.
Flaxseed is a lovely source of both soluble and insoluble fibre, making it a great addition for digestive support. Most of us struggle to reach our daily recommended fibre intake of 30g. Flaxseed can add a big boost of fibre to your diet – just one tablespoon will add 5g to your diet.
If that’s not enough, flaxseeds contain lignans which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds can also help balance hormones, enhance digestion, support a diverse microbial community, and foster a healthier gut environment. They truly are tiny but mighty seeds.
Put your apron on and start baking the cookies now!
You can also try sprinkling milled flaxseed on porridge, adding it to soups or smoothies, or baking it into other healthy treats.
Once you’ve baked your first batch of these delicious cookies, you might find you need to double the recipe for the next time!
Happy baking!
