Dr Michael Mosley says one food in diet can reduce blood pressure

Flaxseeds, also known as linseeds, are described by Dr Mosley as a 'nutritional powerhouse packed with fibre, protein, and healthy fatty acids'. They have a mild, nutty taste and can be easily incorporated into diets by sprinkling them on porridge, adding to salads, or baking into bread and muffins.

According to Dr Mosley, flaxseeds are better absorbed when ground into a powder. Researchers believe some of the health benefits could be attributed to a fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in high quantities in flaxseed. ALA is an anti-inflammatory and offers excellent protection against heart disease.

Other benefits of flaxseeds include fibre - which also reduces heart disease and cholesterol - and lignans, which are also antioxidants. The presence of all three compounds - ALA, fibre and lignans - makes flaxseeds extremely beneficial, says Dr Mosley, reports Gloucestershire Live.

"Studies show that eating flaxseeds can lower blood pressure and also improve your skin, which could be down to the fatty acids and anti-oxidants which are much more readily available when you grind them up," he explained.

"A small German study on women with sensitive showed that two weeks of taking a 2g flaxseed oil supplement improved their skin quality. Not only did their sensitivity decrease, but they also received a boost in both hydration and smoothness."

"Flaxseeds are also rich in fibre, which is not only good for relieving constipation but can also help control our blood sugar levels. A small study published in 2020 found that feeding volunteers 30g of ground flaxseed was enough to lower blood sugar levels across a day."

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