Where do flaxseeds come from? A look at the main producing regions
Flaxseed is the seed of the flax herbaceous plant; it can be eaten and also pressed for oil. It is currently cultivated in many regions of China, so where do flaxseeds come from?
1. Where do flaxseeds come from?
In China, flaxseed producing areas are Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Shanxi, Hebei, Gansu, Shaanxi and others. Among them, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Gansu and Xinjiang have the largest output, followed by Hebei, Jilin, Qinghai and Shaanxi.
2. What effects and benefits does flaxseed have?
1. Lowering blood lipids
Flaxseed is the plant with the highest content of unsaturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids are called essential fatty acids, and they are involved in many regulatory processes in the human body. Among them, EPA has a good inhibitory and reversing effect on the formation of blood lipids. Therefore, eating flaxseed has the benefit of lowering blood lipids.
2. Anti-thrombotic
Low-density lipoprotein sterol, formed by the combination of animal fat and cholesterol in the blood, is usually called “bad” cholesterol. Its high viscosity is the main cause of thrombus formation, while unsaturated fatty acids can reverse this substance, causing it to break down into cholesterol and lipoprotein, with the benefit of clearing blood clots.
3. Preventing cancer and fighting cancer
Unsaturated fatty acids in the human body participate in various syntheses, especially with a serious impact on immune protein synthesis. In addition, research in Japan shows that DHA has the effect of prompting cancerous cells to commit suicide. Therefore, eating flaxseed can prevent and fight cancer.
4. Protecting eyesight
The imaging function of the retina requires not only a large amount of rhodopsin; the unsaturated fatty acid DHA is also a major component of the retina. Eating flaxseed not only promotes the absorption of vitamin A but also supplements DHA, with the benefit of protecting eyesight.
5. Anti-allergic
Flaxseed contains a lot of EPA. α-linolenic acid has the effect of reducing the content of arachidonic acid in the membrane phospholipids of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mast cells, while metabolic disorders of arachidonic acid can lead to allergic reactions. This has been demonstrated in many animal experiments. α-linolenic acid has an inhibitory effect on PAF (platelet-activating factor), an intermediate of allergic reactions. Therefore, eating flaxseed has an anti-allergic effect.
6. Anti-aging
Flaxseed contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, which are antioxidant substances. They can help clear free radicals in the body, reduce free radical damage to cells in the body, and alleviate aging of organs and skin.
7. Relieving constipation
After being eaten, unsaturated fatty acids can lubricate the intestines and stimulate gastrointestinal peristalsis, with a certain therapeutic effect on constipation. In addition, flaxseed contains a certain amount of dietary fiber, which can promote bowel movements. It is suitable for constipation in pregnant women, constipation in the elderly, and others.