Flax

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Heart disease risk²

  In people, flaxseed may lower a blood fat called Lp(a) that is linked to heart disease.

• Benefit

  Blood clotting in diabetes³

  In people with type 2 diabetes, flaxseed oil seemed to lower platelet clumping, but genes made no difference.

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Gut bacteria changes⁷

  In lab studies, flax changed the mix of gut bacteria and helped make beneficial acids.

• Open question

  Bread texture and antioxidants⁸

  In lab studies, adding flaxseed hull to bread raised antioxidants but made loaves smaller and firmer.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Heart and blood sugar health⁴

  Flax may help lower blood pressure and blood sugar, but antinutrients in flax can block some nutrients.

• Benefit

  Cancer protection⁵

  Flax seeds contain compounds that a review of studies says may have anti-cancer properties.

• Open question

  Heart and gut health⁶

  Flaxseed contains essential fatty acids, lignans and dietary fiber, which researchers are studying for health benefits.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.