FLAX (LINUM USITATISSIMUM), ALSO KNOWN AS COMMON FLAX OR LINSEED, IS A MEMBER OF THE GENUS LINUM IN THE FAMILY LINACEAE. IT IS A FOOD AND FIBER CROP CULTIVATED IN COOLER REGIONS OF THE WORLD. FLAXSEEDS OCCUR IN TWO BASIC VARIETIES/COLORS: BROWN OR YELLOW (GOLDEN LINSEEDS). FLAXSEEDS PRODUCE A VEGETABLE OIL KNOWN AS FLAXSEED OIL OR LINSEED OIL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE OLDEST COMMERCIAL OILS.
FLAX SEEDS CONTAIN A GROUP OF NUTRIENTS CALLED LIGNANS, WHICH HAVE POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT AND ESTROGEN PROPERTIES. THEY MAY HELP IN PREVENTING BREAST AND PROSTATE CANCER, AS WELL AS OTHER TYPES OF CANCER.
THE HIGH FIBER CONTENT OF FLAX SEEDS CAN HELP LOWER CHOLESTEROL AND MAY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN IMPROVING HEART HEALTH.