Key Findings:
Energy and macronutrient balance were assessed following the consumption of whole flaxseed, flaxseed defatted flour and flaxseed oil. A higher level of fecal fat occurred after the flaxseed feeding (4X) than with the oil group and about 3 times more compared to the flour group. The ingestion of seeds led to a lower fat bioavailability. The results of this study suggest that despite its high energy density, flaxseed may favor body weight maintenance because it leads to a higher fecal fat and energy excretion.
ABSTRACT:
Background/objectives: Flaxseed has functional properties in the reduction of the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Regardless of its high energy density, the consumption of flaxseed tends to promote body weight maintenance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate energy and macronutrient balance after flaxseed consumption. Subjects/methods: Twenty four healthy volunteers were allocated into 3 experimental groups, when they consumed flaxseed (FS), defatted flaxseed flour (FF), or flaxseed oil (FO). During the control period they were provided a diet without flaxseed products for 7 to 9 days. Following that diets containing 70 g of one of the flaxseed products were consumed for another 7 to 9 day period. Test foods were consumed exclusively in the laboratory and fecal excretion was collected during the study. There was a higher energy excretion (P < 0.05) in the FF and FS groups, compared to their control and FO group. Results: The excretions of total lipid and the PUFA linolenic acid were higher in FS group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The intake of 70 g/day of FS and FF raised lipid and energy excretion, which may mitigated the effect of flaxseed consumption on body weight. (Authors abstract)