Can you add flaxseed to coffee? Yes, you can and it offers a lot of health benefits such as weight loss, improves digestive health, and reduces risk of heart diseases, strokes, diabetes, and chronic kidney diseases.
Flaxseed is recognized as a superfood due to its abundance of beneficial ingredients, including antioxidants, omega-3, fiber, and protein. This plant can be obtained in its natural seed form or various other forms such as oil, capsules, powder, or flour.
To enhance their nutritional intake, individuals employ various methods of using flaxseed, such as sprinkling it on other foods or replacing it with white flour. If you’re wondering if you can put flaxseed in the coffee, the answer is yes.
Adding flaxseed to your coffee is not only convenient but also an effortless way to reap the benefits of this superfood. In the following section, we’ll delve into the reasons and methods for incorporating flaxseed into your coffee and overall diet.
Should You Add Flax Seed to Your Coffee?
Why not!
Incorporating flax seeds into your diet is incredibly easy and fast.
Why not blend flaxseed with your coffee, which is already full of health benefits, for an even more nutritious beverage?
It sounds like a great bargain, doesn’t it?
By adding flaxseed, you may notice a slight change in the flavor and a subtle nutty taste with a slightly gritty texture.
If you’re unsure if you’ll like it, start with a small amount to try it out.
You can even experiment by sprinkling it on other foods. Flaxseed can be incorporated into a variety of meals, including cereal, baked goods, smoothies, and even meat or veggie patties!
Hang on tight because I’m about to outline the primary reasons why adding flaxseed to your coffee is beneficial.
Flaxseed is packed with nutrients that can enhance your overall wellbeing. Incorporating it into your daily diet, particularly in your coffee, can be an effortless way to provide your body with a healthful boost.
The vitamins and minerals found in flaxseed include thiamine, copper, magnesium, selenium, zinc, vitamin B6, iron, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber. Together, these components may assist in:
- Combating cancer
- Decreasing cholesterol levels
- Enhancing heart function
- Reducing blood pressure
- Alleviating inflammation
- Improving gut health
- Facilitating weight loss
See more: 20 Best Foods For Sensitive Stomach
Does Flaxseed have a Taste?
In addition to the numerous health benefits, flaxseed boasts a gentle, nutty flavor that can add a pleasant dimension to your coffee and other beverages and meals.
Benefits of Adding Flaxseed to Coffee
The following are some main benefits of adding flaxseed to coffee.
Reduces Risk of Several Diseases
Omega 3 fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) play a vital role in the body by lowering blood pressure and inflammation.
Were you aware that plant-based foods are the only source of ALA? Flax seeds contain 75 to 800 times more lignans than other foods!
Studies indicate that flax seeds can reduce the risk of various diseases, such as heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. This is due to the abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, and fiber found in flax seeds.
It’s incredible, isn’t it?
Helps in Weight Loss
Eating flax seeds can serve as an effective method for weight loss! They contain a significant amount of soluble dietary fiber, which studies have demonstrated to suppress appetite and cravings and facilitate weight loss.
Fiber also assists in preventing constipation by promoting regularity, which reduces bloating and helps achieve a flatter stomach.
For optimal outcomes, it’s crucial to combine consuming flax seeds with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Improves Digestive Health
Did you know that research indicates 12-19% of the United States population suffers from constipation, while 2-7% experience chronic diarrhea?
It’s a significant number, isn’t it?
Fortunately, studies suggest that flax seeds can help prevent both of these conditions thanks to their high level of insoluble fiber.
How Can You Add Flaxseed to Coffee?
To use flaxseed in coffee, it should be ground before adding it to the drink. Buying ground flaxseed can be more expensive and hard to find, so it’s recommended to grind it at home using a coffee grinder, spice grinder, food processor, blender, or mortar and pestle.
Once it is ground, mix it with water to make a paste, stirring well to remove any lumps, then add it to your coffee and stir until it dissolves. Alternatively, you can sprinkle it on top of your hot drink. It is important to only grind up as much flaxseed as you will use in a few days, as it will only last about a week in the fridge.
The taste of flaxseed can be bitter or even fishy to some people, but adding flavors such as cinnamon, honey, vanilla, chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, whipped cream, maple syrup, or flavored non-dairy creamer can make the coffee and flaxseed combo more palatable and tasty.
Other Ways to Use Flaxseed?
Flaxseed, which is one of the oldest crops known to man, is native to the Mediterranean and India, and people have been creating ways to incorporate it into their diets for centuries.
If you want to use flaxseed in other ways, consider these ideas:
- Use it as a breading for chicken and fish
- Use it as a thickener for soups and stews
- Add it to smoothies
- Mix it with cereal or oatmeal
- Sprinkle it on peanut butter
- Use it as a crunchy alternative to croutons
- Add it to baked goods for a nutty flavor
- Mix it in with yogurt
- Substitute it for breadcrumbs
- Use it as an herb or spice when cooking
- Use it in salad dressing and dips
You can also find great recipes for flaxseed pancakes, vegan flaxseed burgers, flaxseed pudding, homemade flaxseed wraps, flaxseed crackers, and flaxseed eggs (substitute egg with flax).
How Long Does Flaxseed Last?
If you have whole flaxseed, it can last for up to a year after the expiration date on the package as long as it’s stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. However, ground flaxseed will only last about a week after opening because the omega oils released when ground can cause the powder to deteriorate and become rancid. To extend the life of both types, refrigerate them after opening the package.
How much Flaxseed Should You Consume Every day?
You don’t have to consume a specific quantity of flaxseed per day. But, taking 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseed every day will provide you with all the necessary vitamins and minerals that flaxseed contains.
Can I Put Flaxseed in My Water?
Yes, you can put flaxseed in your water. However, keep in mind that the whole flaxseed does not dissolve in water, so it will float to the surface. You may want to use ground flaxseed instead, which can mix more easily into water. You can also mix the ground flaxseed with water to make a paste and then add it to your water. It’s important to note that adding flaxseed to your water may change the taste and texture of the water.
Can You Put Chia Seeds in Coffee?
Yes, you can put chia seeds in coffee. Chia seeds have a neutral taste, so they can be added to coffee without altering the flavor too much. However, keep in mind that chia seeds absorb liquid and become gelatinous, so they may change the texture of your coffee. If you don’t like the texture, you can try grinding the chia seeds into a fine powder before adding them to your coffee.
Can I Put Flaxseed Oil in My Coffee?
Yes, you can put flaxseed oil in your coffee. However, it’s important to note that flaxseed oil has a strong and distinctive taste, which may not be pleasant for everyone. Also, adding flaxseed oil to hot coffee may reduce some of its health benefits, as high temperatures can damage the delicate omega-3 fatty acids in the oil. It’s recommended to use flaxseed oil in cold beverages or drizzle it on salads and other cold dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does heat destroy flaxseeds?
Exposing flaxseeds to high heat for extended periods can damage the healthy oils and cause the seeds to lose some of their nutritional value. However, moderate heat exposure, such as adding ground flaxseeds to baked goods or cooking with flaxseed oil, is generally considered safe and will not destroy all the nutritional benefits of flaxseeds. If you want to preserve the full nutritional value of flaxseeds, it is recommended to consume them raw or add them to foods after cooking.
What happens when you drink flaxseed daily?
It’s important to note that consuming too much flaxseed can have negative effects. Flaxseed contains phytic acid, which can interfere with the absorption of some minerals, such as iron and zinc. In addition, consuming large amounts of flaxseed may cause gastrointestinal side effects such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. It’s best to consume flaxseed in moderation and consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet.
Who should not eat flaxseeds?
While flaxseeds are generally considered safe for most people when consumed in moderation, certain groups of people should avoid or limit their intake of flaxseeds. These include people with digestive problems and a history of hormone sensitive cancers. Similarly, pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid drinking flaxseed.
Final Thoughts
Considering all the benefits, should you add flaxseed to your coffee? Absolutely! Adding flaxseed to your coffee requires minimal effort and has a wide range of health benefits. Moreover, you may even like the nutty flavor and aroma it adds.
However, if you have tried it and prefer your regular coffee, you need not fret. You can still benefit from flaxseed by adding it to other beverages and meals.
