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Flaxseed Oil - The Nutritional Wonder Oil
Flaxseed oil, also known as linseed oil, comes from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant. It is obtained by pressing and then optional solvent extraction. Cold-pressed oil without the solvent extraction is known as flaxseed oil. If solvents are used, it is known as linseed oil.
Benefits of Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil is used as a nutritional supplement because it contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linoleic acid. These acids are thought to prevent arrhythmia and heart disease and strengthen bones. Normal flaxseed oil contains between 52% and 63% alpha-linoleic acid but plant breeders have been able to develope flaxseed containing 70% alpha-linoleic acid and also flaxseed containing less than 3% alpha-linoleic acid. Flaxseed also contains omega-6 fatty acids.
Flax seeds contain lignans, which are a type of phytoestrogens. These have cancer-preventing and antioxidant properties. The oil does not have these same lignans once it has been extracted.
Flaxseed oil taken with a meal can increase the nutritional value of foods such as seafood, animal, cabbage, and dairy products, by incorporating the fatty acids into the cell membranes. Mixing yogurt and flaxseed oil helps to emulsify the oil, which improves metabolism and digestion. It is best to take flaxseed oil with other nutrients, such as carotene, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and magnesium, because it works best in the body that way.
How to Use Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil also has anti-inflammatory benefits if used in cooking or taken as a supplement. You can add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil to some yogurt, honey, and fruit in a blender and blend on high for 30 seconds for a healthy, nutritious breakfast smoothie.
Oils high in essential fatty acids do not make good cooking oils. The heat can actually destroy their healthy properties and replace them with harmful ones. You can add flaxseed oil to your food when it is cooked, just before you serve it.
How to Store Flaxseed Oil
You need to keep this oil in the refrigerator because it easily becomes rancid and rapidly oxidizes. It will only keep for a few weeks in the refrigerator once opened so do not buy a larger bottle than you are going to use. Rancid oils might be carcinogenic and encourage the formation of free radicals, which are very bad for your body. Antioxidants are sometimes added to flaxseed oil to prevent it going rancid. Only buy flaxseed oil that comes in a black bottle and has been refrigerated. Apart from olive oil, all healthy oils turn rancid very quickly.
Recipe - Spicy Flaxseed Oil Pasta Sauce
Ingredients -
6 crushed cloves garlic
1 bunch parsley
1½ tablespoons water
¼ cup flaxseed oil
2½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Preparation:
Mix the garlic, oregano, parsley and spices. Add the water, vinegar, and oil. Stir well and serve over pasta, rice, or broiled fish. You can keep this sauce covered in the refrigerator for up to a week, as long as you stir it well before serving to mix the ingredients.
(Serves 4)
Wine Suggestion:
Wine to Serve with Spicy Flaxseed Oil Pasta Sauce
Pasta presents you with a blank canvas when it comes to wine so always match the wine to the sauce. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio would be good choices to serve alongside this wonder oil pasta sauce, since they both have good structure and a slightly more complex flavor than some other whites.
Chardonnay is also quite versatile and its acidity and fruitiness would be good with this flaxseed oil pasta sauce too. If you are not keen on a heavy oak taste, look for a Chardonnay aged in French oak as opposed to Californian oak and the oak will be more subtle.
