Michael Mosley says a teaspoon of 'powerhouse' food a day slashes blood pressure

Flaxseeds, which are also known as linseeds, are a 'nutritional powerhouse' packed with fibre, protein and healthy fats. In terms of taste, they are mild and nutty, and can be added into the likes of porridge or salads, and even baked into bread.

Dr Mosley said that these seeds are better when ground into a powder and absorbed, while researches think that the benefits could come through a fatty acid known as alpha linolenic acid (ALA). It is an anti-inflammatory and gives good protection against heart disease.

• Read more: Dr Michael Mosley explains simple activity can have a huge impact on mental health

• Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East with our free newsletter

Wales Online reports that other benefits come from fibre - which culls heart disease and cholesterol - as well as lignans, which are anti-oxidants. Dr Mosley says that the fact that all three compounds are found in flaxseeds makes them hugely beneficial to health.

He said: "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. 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."

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.