Linen porridge - useful properties and contraindications

Linen porridge can not be attributed to the category of cereals present in our daily diet. But in its composition, it can easily compete with any kind of rice, oatmeal, and even fashionable quinoa. But its main advantage is a very affordable price with rich nutritional value. What is useful flax porridge, and how to cook from it really tasty dish, which even children will not refuse?

Specific features of flax

To obtain cereals, ordinary flax is used, which is widely represented in supermarkets and stores that specialize in healthy nutrition. It is packaged in 50-100 grams and sealed in small packages. Sometimes on the shelves you can find flax in cans or cardboard packaging.

With regard to quality, it is better to buy whole, not roasted seeds, since they contain more vitamins and trace elements.

How to choose and store flax seeds

To get the maximum benefit from the product, you need to select and store it correctly. To do this, pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. Packaging. The main criterion for the condition of the seed is the quality of the container. Good packaging lacks any flaws. If we are talking about a package, then it must be sealed in the factory. Do not buy flax by weight - it may contain small debris, dust and microbes. There will be no benefit from such porridge.
2. Composition. Good flax eliminates the presence of any additional components in its composition. There are ready-made mixtures in which pieces of fruit have already been added, but the quality of such additives always leaves much to be desired. It is much more reasonable to buy pure seed and diversify it with natural ingredients, for example, nuts or germinated wheat grains.
3. Shelf life. Prefer only fresh seeds, which are maximum within a month as they went on sale.Under the condition of improper storage in the store, they begin to deteriorate rapidly, although you will not see it with the naked eye.

How to understand that bought flax fresh? Very simple - its natural taste has a pronounced nutty flavor and it does not taste bitter. It has practically no characteristic aroma, so you can only focus on the integrity and brown color of the seed.

After purchase, it must be poured into a ceramic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight or moisture. Otherwise, the product will quickly deteriorate. At home, flax can be stored for 30 days, after which the remaining product should be disposed of.

Flax virtues

Now let's talk about why it is worth eating.

The most important advantage of flax is a high concentration of Omega-3 polysaturated fatty acids, which are responsible for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system and the brain. Omega-3 also reduces the inflammatory processes that are the root cause of autoimmune diseases, arthritis and allergies.It has been clinically proven to be effective against Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of which is inflammation of the brain. The content of fatty acids flax is not inferior to fish oil, which is considered to be a storehouse of Omega-3. But its main drawbacks are the high price and the pollution of water with heavy metals that accumulate in fish.

A high concentration of plant hormones is another argument in favor of regular use of flax cereal. They are antioxidants and suppress allergic processes, slowing down cell aging. With regular consumption of foods rich in phytoestrogens, you can normalize the hormonal balance and improve the condition of the body when menopause occurs. And also provide yourself with additional protection against breast and ovarian cancer.

Men who care about their health should definitely supplement the daily menu with flax porridge. It is considered a good prophylactic against prostate cancer and increases testosterone levels, increasing sexual desire.

Pregnant women also need to pay attention to this product, because flax is rich in protein and elements such as potassium, calcium, iron, chromium and magnesium.Their combination contributes to the proper fetal development and increased lactation.

With a systematic admission flax is able to lower blood sugar levels. Moreover, it will help in the fight against overweight, because it nourishes well with the minimum caloric content. For its absorption, the body also synthesizes collagen, which is the main health of hair, nails and skin.

The effect of flax on the digestive tract

During heat treatment, flax releases specific mucus and linmarin glycoside. They protect the walls of the stomach and intestines from irritating external factors (the action of antibiotics, pathogenic microflora), reduce inflammation and pain. The product can be the main in the diet of a person suffering from an ulcer, gastritis, colitis and cholecystitis.

Linen porridge improves intestinal motility, has a minimal laxative effect and promotes healthy digestion.

Rich in seeds and vitamin C, A, B vitamins. They also help the digestive tract:

• do not allow irritation of the mucous with excessive secretion of gastric juice;
• increase the immune function of the gastrointestinal tract;
• promote engraftment of beneficial lacto-and bifidobacteria.

Contraindications flax porridge

The uniqueness of the product is also in the fact that it has no restrictions on reception. She does not provoke any negative reactions. The exception is individual intolerance, which is very rare. A negative reaction to flax porridge is most often manifested when synthetic flavor enhancers and flavors are added to it, which may be allergens.

But with its regular use in food, nutritionists and gastroenterologists recommend increasing the amount of water consumed. Flax absorbs a lot of liquid, so to avoid problems with the chair, you must adhere to the standard drinking regime - up to 2 liters per day.

Linen Porridge Recipes

To make porridge, you also need a coffee grinder or blender. Roughly, one serving is three handfuls of seed. They must be poured into a container and crushed to a state of flour or small chips. The resulting powder will serve as the basis for numerous dishes: from steamed porridge to baking.

Pour the cereal into a deep plate and fill it with water at room temperature so that it covers it completely. Give us a little time to absorb moisture.Since flax has good adsorbing properties, select the amount of water to your taste. It all depends on the consistency you want to end up with.

This is a version of cereal for raw foodists. Flax powder can also be boiled like any other cereal. To do this, pour it into boiling water, turn off the heat and leave to infuse for 15 minutes. To enhance the taste, feel free to use sea salt or favorite seasonings.

The resulting porridge can be eaten immediately, but you can let it stand for 15 minutes while the flax swells. As a dressing, use honey, wedge syrup, molasses - any natural sweetener available at hand. For a richer taste, diversify the dish by adding dried fruits, fresh or frozen berries to it.

Linen porridge on milk with banana and almonds
This version of the dish is more nutritious and nutritious, so it is perfect as a breakfast. For him you will need:

• ground flaxseed: ½ cup;
• milk: 0.5 l;
• sugar: 1 tablespoon;
• banana: 1 piece;
• Almond: 1 handful.

First of all, pour milk into the pan, boil it and reduce the heat. Add ground seed to it and boil it, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Cover the pan with a lid, remove from the stove and wrap in a towel.We recommend adding cooked porridge with sugar, chopped nuts and banana. If you wish, you can use any fruits and berries.

Provided proper storage and preparation of porridge based on flaxseed will be a tasty and useful addition to the already well-established diet. It will easily become the main source of protein for dietary or therapeutic purposes. Its low cost also allows you to diversify the fasting menu without compromising the nutritional value of the diet.

Video: cooking morning linen porridge and flax jelly