Flaxseed as a functional food: A review

Abstract

Flaxseed has recently gained attention as a functional food ingredient due to its rich potential health benefits associated with its biologically active components such as alpha-linolenic acid, lignans, and dietary fiber. Health benefits attributed to flaxseed include antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer properties etc. As a functional food ingredient, flaxseed or flaxseed oil has been incorporated into baked foods, juices, milk and dairy products, muffins, dry pasta products, macaroni and meat products. The present review is an attempt to highlight the potential of flaxseed as functional food.