Health Canada backs the benefits of flax

Watch the video above: Health Canada finds flaxseed can significantly reduce cholesterol

SASKATOON – Flax is a crop grown right here in Saskatchewan’s backyard and it’s long been touted for its health benefits.

Researchers have spent more than a decade proving flaxseed can significantly reduce cholesterol and now after stringent testing the claim has been accepted by Health Canada.

“To have Health Canada with their rigorous testing and standards that are required it’s really good to be able to provide that scientific evidence and so it’s another tool in the farmer’s pocket to market our flax,” said Linda Braun, Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission executive director.

Saskatchewan is one of the world’s leading producers of flax and now that Health Canada accepts this health benefit the province’s farmers are set to profit as demand picks up.

“I think over a course of three, four or five years we’re going to see an upswing in the consumption of flax,” said Watrous farmer Shane Stokke.

“When you are selling healthy products and ingredients into the food market you have to have the science,” said nutrition consultant Kelly Fitzpatrick.

“Without their support you do not get consumers looking at this product as a legitimate product.”

Health Canada recommends a daily consumption of five tablespoons of ground flaxseed to maximize lowering cholesterol.

“The challenge for the food industry will be incorporating enough flax in these food products to make the health claim,” said Fitzpatrick.

There are already various products on the shelves containing flaxseed and the Flax Council of Canada says it’s easy to incorporate these into things like muffins, cookies, snack foods and casseroles.

“Right now our largest markets are the United States and China. China has a huge functional food, healthy food market so we should see some going there,” said Braun.

“It’s my understanding that the US flax production is also decreasing and as American consumers understand about flax we can move in to fill that market.”

Stokke says it will allow them to expand their farm.