According to the Flax Council of Canada, a tablespoon of whole flax seed has 3 grams of dietary fiber. Ground flax seed has slightly less at 2.2 grams per tablespoon. Both types contain soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol levels while insoluble fiber helps waste products move through the intestines. Flax seed has other benefits as well. The Mayo Clinic suggests that ground flax seed is a better choice for some people because it digests easier and allows the body to access nutrients in addition to fiber. Flax seed contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids. There are many benefits to these, including lowering triglyceride levels and easing the stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis. Lignans are also found in flax seed. According to the NYU Langone Medical Center, these chemicals possibly help prevent cancer.
