Is It Safe To Eat Flax Seeds During Pregnancy?

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You might be thinking about whether or not you can eat flaxseed while pregnant. Flaxseeds or linseeds, called alsi in India, are small, tan, brown, or golden seeds. They are a great source of dietary fiber and antioxidants. They contain minerals such as magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, proteins, and vitamins B6, E, and folate (folic acid). Flaxseeds are a source of plant-based omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids and lignans. A tablespoon of flaxseed oil is worth around 700 milligrams of EPA and DHA, which is essential for the brain development of infants. You can consume them as a whole, sprouted, ground, or in the form of oil (1).

In this post, MomJunction tells you about eating flaxseeds during pregnancy, its benefits, and ways to include them in your diet.

In This Article

Is It Safe To Consume Flaxseeds During Pregnancy?

Consuming flaxseeds in moderation when pregnant is safe
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It is safe to eat a moderate amount of flaxseeds during pregnancy as large amounts can act like estrogensiXA sex hormone linked to the female reproductive system and is crucial for menstruation and pregnancy in the body, causing hormonal disturbances. As there is little research on the effects of flaxseeds during pregnancy, it is best to consult your doctor before using them.

What Quantity Of Flaxseed Can You Have During Pregnancy?

You can have about one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds every day during pregnancy. This will meet your daily requirement of 1.4g alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) (2).

What Are The Benefits Of Flaxseed During Pregnancy?

They help control blood sugar levels
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Flaxseeds contain some of the vital nutrients that you require during pregnancy.

1. Essential nutrients aid fetal brain development

Flaxseeds contain two essential fatty acids – linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acid- that play a prominent role in fetal development during early pregnancy (3). These fatty acids especially promote brain development.

2. Relieves pregnancy constipation

Flaxseeds are a good source of fiber and help keep constipation at bay. Regular consumption of flaxseeds in moderate amounts, along with plenty of water, can ease bowel movements and also prevent hemorrhoidsiXSwollen and irritated veins in the anus or the lower rectum, also known as plies  (4). However, it can also be a cause of constipation if taken in excess, and without adequate amounts of liquids.

3. Controls blood sugar levels

It is common for the blood sugar levels to rise during pregnancy, and flaxseeds can help control them. Also, the risk of Cesarean deliveryiXA medical procedure in which the mother's abdomen and uterus are cut open to deliver the baby and high birth weight reduces with the use of flaxseed oil (5).

4. Prevents cancers

Lignans (phytonutrients) present in flaxseeds decrease the risk of breast and ovarian cancersiXA condition where uncontrolled growth and multiplication of cancer cells occur in the fallopian tubes or ovaries  (6).

5. Lowers risk of cardiovascular diseases

Research findings show that flaxseeds help lower the bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and increase the good cholesterol levels (HDL). They are known to possess blood-thinning properties, which reduce the risk of clogging in arteries (7).

In spite of these benefits, flaxseeds should be eaten in moderation, as excess consumption can be risky for a pregnant woman.

protip_icon Health fact
Flaxseed is not suitable for pregnant women with preexisting bowel obstruction, bowel inflammation, or narrowed esophagus due to its high fiber content (10).

Possible Side-effects Of Flaxseeds During Pregnancy

These are some of the side effects of including flax seeds in your diet during pregnancy.

  1. Nausea, diarrhea, and gas due to over-consumption
  1. If you are allergic, reactions such as swelling of the lips, tightness in the chest or breathing problems
Flaxseeds can cause breathing problems during pregnancy
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  1. A sudden increase in blood pressure when you consume unripe or raw flaxseeds.
  1. Cyanide present in flaxseeds can lead to poisoning when taken in excess amounts (8).

If you are not allergic and want to make flaxseeds a part of your maternal nutrition in limited amounts, then here is how you can go about it.

protip_icon Caution
Flaxseeds may react with medications such as blood thinnersiXA drug used to prevent and treat blood clots in the heart and blood vessels (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, etc.) and increase the risk of bleeding (10).

Ways To Include Flaxseeds In Prenatal Diet

You can add flaxseeds to a salad
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Flaxseeds, along with chia seeds are considered superfoods as they offer significant health benefits when included in the diet.Avoid raw flaxseeds as they can be toxic. Roast the seeds to destroy the cyanide compounds and consume them freshly roasted. You can also grind the roasted seeds into powder and store in an airtight container, as your body takes more time to digest and absorb whole seeds.

Here are some ways to include the roasted flaxseed powder in your diet:

  • Add to smoothies or yogurt
  • Mix into wheat dough for making bread, chapattis, paranthas
  • Mix in the batter of dosa, idly, bread and muffins

protip_icon Quick tip
If you are having ground flaxseed, make sure you consume it with a lot of water (10).

If you have more queries about flaxseed consumption during pregnancy, read on.

Is Flaxseed Oil Safe During Pregnancy?

Take flaxseed oil only after your doctor's approval
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Do not take flaxseed oil during pregnancy without your doctor’s consent. Though the oil contains vital fats that a fetus needs, it could create issues as the pregnancy progresses. A study conducted at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Pharmacy found out that pregnant women who consumed flaxseeds during pregnancy had about 12% risk of premature birth compared to 3% risk among women who didn’t.
The correlation was especially observed in women who consumed flaxseed oil during second and third trimesters. However, consuming whole or ground seeds does not seem to create this risk (9).

Is It Safe To Take Flaxseed Oil Tablets During Pregnancy?

Flaxseed oil tablets are a source of vegetarian omega-3 fatty acids. Though you can get a healthy dose of omega-3 by adding the flaxseed oil tablets/capsules/supplements to your diet, it is better to seek your doctor’s advice first.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will flaxseeds add weight in pregnancy?

No, flax seeds are known to support weight loss. This is because they contain healthy fats and fiber that keep you full for a long time without consuming more calories (11).

2. Can flaxseeds cause miscarriage?

According to a taboo, flaxseeds were believed to be abortive substances since they consider the baby an infection while managing inflammation in the body and thus cause a miscarriage (12). However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this belief.

3. Can flaxseed help with postpartum depression?

An animal-based study showed that flaxseeds might help alleviate depression- and anxiety-related behavior. However, more clinical studies involving pregnant samples are needed to validate the findings (13).

4. Can flaxseed help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes during pregnancy?

A study highlighted that flaxseed may have hypoglycemic effects (14). However, the study did not analyze the impact of flaxseed on gestational diabetes. Therefore, more clinical studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Flaxseeds are a good source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and other nutrients. Consuming flaxseed while pregnant could help relieve constipation, control blood sugar, and lower cardiovascular diseases. However, doctors suggest that you should consume these seeds in moderation because excess may cause hormonal imbalances, allergies, and nausea. Always consume roasted flaxseeds as the raw ones can be toxic. Enjoy them by adding them to smoothies, oatmeal, salad, etc. Consult a doctor if you notice any discomfort or side effects after consuming them.

Infographic: Benefits And Risks Of Flaxseeds During Pregnancy

Flaxseeds, also called linseeds, are tiny, brown, tan, or golden seeds rich in omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fibers. Eating flaxseeds has several benefits for pregnant women and the fetus, but excess consumption can be harmful. Check out the infographic below to learn about the risks and benefits of flaxseeds for pregnant women.

pros and cons of eating flaxseeds when pregnant (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Key Pointers

  • Flaxseed is a great source of dietary fiber, minerals, proteins, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans, which are good for both mother and child during pregnancy.
  • It is recommended to consume flaxseed in moderation during pregnancy.
  • Overconsumption of flaxseed during the gestation period can cause hormonal imbalances. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor before consuming flaxseed.
  • Flaxseed offers various benefits during pregnancy, such as aiding fetal brain development, relieving pregnancy constipation, controlling blood sugar levels, preventing cancer, and lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Raw flaxseed can be toxic. Therefore, it is advisable to consume roasted flaxseed.
  • Consumption of flaxseed can lead to side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and gas, and even poisoning if taken in excess.
  • Flaxseed oil should be avoided during pregnancy, as it could create issues in the pregnancy process.
flaxseed while pregnant_illustration

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Flaxseed A Review of Health Benefits.
    https://www.pbrc.edu/training-and-education/pdf/pns/pns_flaxseed.pdf
  2. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Status in Overweight Pregnant Women of Louisiana.
    https://repository.lsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2244&context=gradschool_theses
  3. Jaclyn M Coletta et al.; (2010); Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3046737/
  4. Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil.
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/flaxseed-and-flaxseed-oil
  5. André Manoel Correia-Santos et al.; (2015); Maternal use of flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation prevents morphological alterations in the pancreas of female offspring from rat dams with experimental diabetes.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4459801/
  6. Priyanka Kajla et al.; (2015); Flaxseed-a potential functional food source.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4375225/
  7. Delfin Rodriguez-Leyva et al.; (2010); The cardiovascular effects of flaxseed and its omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2989356/
  8. Nadia Chaouali et al.; (2013); Potential Toxic Levels of Cyanide in Almonds (Prunus amygdalus) Apricot Kernels (Prunus armeniaca) and Almond Syrup.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3793392/
  9. Pregnant women consuming flaxseed oil have high risk of premature birth study finds.
    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027140817.htm
  10. Flaxseed.
    https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/flaxseed
  11. Mr. Shaikh Akbar et al. (2021); Flaxseeds: A Review.
    https://www.ijirt.org/master/publishedpaper/IJIRT152451_PAPER.pdf
  12. Allison Rachel Cantor; (2016); Costumbres, Creencias, y “Lo normal”: A Biocultural Study on Changing Prenatal Dietary Practices in a Rural Tourism Community in Costa Rica.
    https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7395&context=etd
  13. Nebal El Tanbouly et al.; (2017); Antidepressant-Like Effect of Selected Egyptian Cultivars of Flaxseed Oil on a Rodent Model of Postpartum Depression.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733178/
  14. Kailash Prasad and Arti Dhar; (2016); Flaxseed and Diabetes.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26561065/
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