Can Flaxseed Go Bad? By Meg Campbell Updated on November 28 Before research verified its health advantages, flaxseed was considered a medical food; it was a popular laxative in ancient times. Due to its high fiber content, flaxseed can be used to prevent and cure constipation.
It is also a substantial source of omega-3s, the anti-inflammatory fatty acids related with cardiovascular health that are obtained from plants. Due to the rapid deterioration of these polyunsaturated lipids, flaxseed has a rather limited shelf life. One reason refined grain products are so prevalent in the food supply is that they have a significantly longer shelf life than whole-grain goods.
Unsaturated fatty acids are removed from grain kernels during the refining process. Unsaturated fats oxidize rather quickly, therefore foods containing them, such as whole grains, plant-based oils, nuts, and seeds, tend to perish more quickly. Ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil oxidize more rapidly than whole flaxseed because its unsaturated fats are significantly more susceptible to oxidation.
- The stable polyunsaturated fatty acids in fresh flaxseed are regarded as anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective, however the oxidized lipids in rancid flaxseed may have the opposite effect.
- According to a 2012 article in the Chicago Tribune on the possible health concerns of ingesting rancid food, oxidized lipids are pro-inflammatory and potentially poisonous.
In addition to destroying fat’s vitamins, oxidation promotes the formation of toxic chemicals that have been related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and accelerated aging. The flavor of fresh flaxseed is mild and nutty, but rotten flaxseed is harsh and has an unpleasant aftertaste.
Since it is possible to become acclimated to the off-taste of oxidized lipids, you should also smell flaxseed to determine its freshness. Typically, spoiled flaxseed – whether whole, powdered, or in oil form – is characterized as smelling like oil paint or crayons. According to the book “Wellness Foods A to Z: An Essential Guide for Health-Conscious Food Lovers,” any flaxseed products emitting such scents are past their prime and should be destroyed.
Air, heat, and light are the primary agents of lipid oxidation. This implies that flaxseed placed on the kitchen counter in a loosely packed, clear plastic bag will spoil far more quickly than flaxseed stored in a nontransparent, refrigerated container.
Fresh, whole flaxseed may typically be refrigerated for up to a year in an opaque, airtight container. Ground flaxseed stored in the same container for approximately six months in the freezer. Always store flaxseed oil in a refrigerator-safe, opaque container. Whether you add ground flaxseed to your morning porridge or flaxseed oil to your evening salad, you should avoid purchasing significant quantities of flaxseed products.
Buying exactly the quantity of flaxseed you can use within a month or two and investing in a small coffee grinder will help reduce waste. Whole flaxseed that is ground shortly before consumption is often fresher than prepackaged flaxseed. Writer Bio Since 1997, Meg Campbell, who resides just outside of Chicago, has been employed in the fitness sector.
Does flax seed have a shelf life?
Does Flaxseed Go Bad? – The expiration date is printed on the packaging of all flaxseeds sold commercially, however this does not always imply that the product must be discarded when the date approaches. The shelf life of flaxseeds depends on how they were processed, where they are stored, and their shape (seeds or ground).
If you have whole flaxseeds, they may be kept in the refrigerator for months after their expiration date (more on that below). As for flaxseed meal, it may go rancid within a week of the expiration date. The best way to determine whether a flaxseed product is rancid is to smell it. These omega-3s within the seeds emit an unpleasant stench after they have passed their prime.
Flaxseeds or flaxseed meal should be discarded if they do not pass the smell test or if they have any form of bitter taste. Related:
Do unopened flax seeds go bad?
In the Refrigerator – The refrigerator is the best location to keep unopened flaxseed packages. And once they are opened, they should only be stored in the refrigerator. The colder temperatures and light shielding will help prevent spoiling. In reality, whole flaxseed stored in the refrigerator is likely to be edible for up to a year beyond the written expiration date.
