A narrative review on nutraceutical, food and industrial applications of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum. L)

Figures & data

Figure 1. Effect of dietary flaxseed on maintaining cardiovascular health.

Figure 2. α – Linolenic acid.

Figure 3. Nutritional composition of flaxseed.

Table 1. Various health benefits and the mechanism of flaxseed on human body.

Health benefit	Description	Mechanism	References
High in Omega-3 fatty acids	Flaxseed is one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain function, heart health, and reducing inflammation.	ALA is converted into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are important for brain function, heart health, and reducing inflammation	Mirmasoumi et al., 2018
Rich in fibre	Flaxseed is high in both soluble and insoluble fibre, which can improve digestive health, regulate blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol.	Soluble fiber binds with water to form a gel-like substance that slows down digestion, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool and promotes regularity	Shim et al., 2022; Morya et al., 2022
May lower blood pressure	Flaxseed may help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.	High content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve blood flow and decrease the resistance of blood vessels, which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure	Toulabi et al., 2022
May reduce cancer risk	Some studies suggest that the lignans in flaxseed may have anti-cancer properties, particularly in reducing the risk of breast cancer.	Lignans may have anti-estrogenic effects that inhibit the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that protect against cancer development	DeLuca et al., 2018
May Improve Cholesterol Levels	Flaxseed may help reduce LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol levels, which can lower the risk of heart disease.	Soluble fibre binds with water in the gut to form a gel-like substance that can trap cholesterol and bile acids, preventing their absorption into the bloodstream. This can lead to a decrease in blood cholesterol levels	Naik et al., 2018
May improve blood sugar control	The fibre in flaxseed may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, which can be beneficial for people with diabetes.	Soluble fibre slows down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, while lignans may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation	Villarreal-Renteria et al., 2022
May reduce inflammation	The omega-3 fatty acids and lignans in flaxseed may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could be helpful for conditions such as arthritis and asthma.	Omega-3 fatty acids are known to have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids, as well as inhibiting the activation of inflammatory pathways	Askarpour et al., 2020

Figure 4. Various properties of flaxseed.

Table 2. Industrial application of flaxseed.

Application	Description	Product	Industry	Reference
Food	Flaxseed is used as a nutritional ingredient in food products such as breads, cereals, and snack bars. It is also used as a vegan egg substitute in baking.	Flaxseed oil, Flaxseed powder	Food	Campos-Vega et al., 2020.
Weight management	The high fibre content of flaxseeds can contribute to a sensation of fullness and aid with weight management.	Flaxseed powder	Food	Morya et al., 2022
Textile industry	Flaxseed is used in the production of textiles and industrial materials due to its strong, durable fibres. It is also used in the production of biodegradable plastics and packaging materials.	Flax fibre	Textile, Composite Material	Cassuto et al., 2022; Morya et al., 2022
Animal feed	Flaxseed meal is used as a feed supplement for livestock due to its high protein content and omega-3 fatty acids.	Flaxseed meal	Agriculture	Xu et al., 2022
Cosmetic	Flaxseed oil is used in cosmetic and personal care products due to its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly used in skin creams, hair conditioners, and body lotions.	Flaxseed oil	Beauty, Personal Care	Fale et al., 2022
Biofuel	Flaxseed oil can be used as a feedstock to produce biodiesel, a renewable energy source.	Flaxseed oil	Energy	Ganesan et al., 2022
Paper production	Flax fibres are used in paper production to create a stronger and more durable paper.	Flax fibre	Paper	Santana & Tavares, 2022
Industrial coatings	Flaxseed oil is used in the production of coatings due to its quick-drying and hardening properties.	Flaxseed oil, flaxseed mucilage	Coatings, paints	Mirbahoush et al., 2019
Construction	Flax fibres are used in construction to create insulation and strengthen building materials.	Flax fibre	Construction	Lascano et al., 2020
Soil remediation	Flax is used in phytoremediation to remove heavy metals from soil.	Flax plant	Environmental	Khan et al., 2023
Fuel additives	Flaxseed oil can be used as a fuel additive to reduce emissions and improve engine performance.	Flaxseed oil	Automotive, Energy	Sharma et al., 2022
Medical	Flaxseed oil is used in medical products such as anti-inflammatory supplements and topical treatments for skin conditions.	Flaxseed oil	Medical	Ebrahimi et al., 2021
	Flaxseeds include lignans, which have anti-cancer potential.	Flaxseed	Medical	Flower et al., 2014

Table 3. Future prospects of flaxseeds in various novel advancements.

Nutraceutical advancements	Functional foods	Flaxseed can also be included in functional meals and supplements that target particular health issues, such weight management, digestive health, and cardiovascular wellbeing.	Raghuwanshi et al., 2019
	Bioactive compound isolation	To further understand their modes of action and potential therapeutic applications, researchers can concentrate on extracting and identifying particular bioactive components within flaxseed.	Mueed et al., 2023
	Personalized nutrition	Incorporating a person’s genetic make-up and health condition into dietary recommendations could be made possible by advances in nutrigenomics.	Capcanari et al., 2021
Food industry	Plant-based products	Flaxseed has the potential to be a prominent ingredient in baked products, dairy substitutes, and meat substitutes thanks to the growing demand for plant-based cuisine.	Lira et al., 2023
	Clean labelling	As a natural source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, flaxseed can help clean-label products meet customer expectations for natural, minimally processed ingredients.	Alexandri et al., 2022
	Noval product development	Food scientists can experiment with the creation of new foods, beverages, and condiments made from flaxseed.	Oomah, 2020
Industrial application	Biodegradable materials	Flax fibers can be used to create biodegradable polymers and composites, which will address environmental issues with traditional plastics.	Akhila et al., 2023
	Biofuel production	Diversifying renewable energy sources and lowering greenhouse gas emissions may be made possible through research into flaxseed as a potential feedstock for biofuels.	Bujnovský et al., 2020
	Phytochemical extraction	It is possible to extract phytochemicals from flaxseed for use in medicines, cosmetics, and other industrial purposes.	Noreen et al., 2023
Sustainable agriculture	Crop improvement	Development of flaxseed varieties with superior features, such as greater production, disease resistance, and improved nutritional value, may result from ongoing research in crop breeding and genetic engineering.	Bayat et al., 2022
	Crop rotation and agroecological practices	In crop rotation systems, promoting the use of flaxseed can improve soil health, lower the demand for chemical inputs, and promote sustainable agriculture.	Sainju et al., 2020
International collaboration and trade		Collaboration between nations can enable the transfer of knowledge and technology, encouraging international trade in goods derived from flaxseed and fostering economic development.	Pourchasse, 2019
Consumer education and awareness		The food and nutraceutical industries can see improved customer demand and product development by raising knowledge of the nutritional and health benefits of flaxseed.	Urbisz et al., 2021

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