Seeds, flaxseed
Seeds, flaxseed is a nut/seed, with a high energy density of 514 kcal per 100g. It is an excellent source of Omega-3 ALA, Selenium and Copper, providing 1214%, 247% and 149% of the Daily Value respectively. This nut/seed is a moderate protein source, rich in dietary fiber, high in fat. Nuts and seeds provide healthy fats, protein, fiber, and minerals including magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Their high nutrient density makes them a valuable component of heart-healthy diets. Our database tracks 94 nutrients for this food, plus insulin index, polyphenol profile, environmental footprint data.
Top Nutrients
Data for 94 of 150 tracked nutrients
Nutrient Fingerprint
How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.
Complete Nutrient Profile
Macronutrients 9
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Foundation | 6.8 | g | — | 0% |
| Calories Foundation | 514 | kcal | — | — |
| Energy (kJ) SR | 2,234 | kj | — | — |
| Protein Foundation | 18.0 | g | — | 32% |
| Total Fat Foundation | 37.3 | g | — | — |
| Carbohydrate Foundation | 34.4 | g | — | 26% |
| Fiber Foundation | 23.1 | g | — | 61% |
| Total Sugars SR | 1.6 | g | — | — |
| Ash Foundation | 3.5 | g | — | — |
Minerals 10
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium Foundation | 230 | mg | — | 23% |
| Iron Foundation | 5.8 | mg | — | 72% |
| Magnesium Foundation | 372 | mg | — | 93% |
| Phosphorus Foundation | 556 | mg | — | 80% |
| Potassium Foundation | 793 | mg | — | 23% |
| Sodium Foundation | 36.7 | mg | — | 2% |
| Zinc Foundation | 4.7 | mg | — | 43% |
| Copper Foundation | 1.3 | mg | — | 149% |
| Manganese Foundation | 2.4 | mg | — | 105% |
| Selenium Foundation | 136 | µg | — | 247% |
Vitamins 34
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (RAE) SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin A (IU) SR | 0 | IU | — | — |
| Retinol SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Beta-Carotene SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Alpha-Carotene SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Lycopene SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR | 651 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin C SR | 0.60 | mg | — | 1% |
| Vitamin D SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin D (IU) SR | 0 | IU | — | — |
| Vitamin E Foundation | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Beta-Tocopherol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Gamma-Tocopherol SR | 19.9 | mg | — | — |
| Delta-Tocopherol SR | 0.35 | mg | — | — |
| Alpha-Tocotrienol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Beta-Tocotrienol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Gamma-Tocotrienol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Delta-Tocotrienol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Vitamin K1 Foundation | 3.7 | µg | — | 3% |
| Vitamin K2 (MK-4) SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Thiamin (B1) Foundation | 0.54 | mg | — | 45% |
| Riboflavin (B2) SR | 0.16 | mg | — | 12% |
| Niacin (B3) Foundation | 3.8 | mg | — | 24% |
| Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR | 0.98 | mg | — | 20% |
| Vitamin B6 Foundation | 0.39 | mg | — | 30% |
| Biotin (B7) Foundation | 33.8 | µg | — | 113% |
| Folate Foundation | 41.5 | µg | — | 10% |
| Folic Acid SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Folate (food) SR | 87.0 | µg | — | — |
| Folate (DFE) SR | 87.0 | µg | — | — |
| Vitamin B12 SR | 0 | µg | — | — |
| Choline SR | 78.7 | mg | — | 14% |
| Betaine SR | 3.1 | mg | — | — |
Fatty Acids 8
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturated Fat Foundation | 3.3 | g | — | — |
| Monounsaturated Fat Foundation | 5.9 | g | — | — |
| Polyunsaturated Fat Foundation | 24.7 | g | — | — |
| Cholesterol SR | 0 | mg | — | — |
| Omega-3 ALA Foundation | 19.4 | g | — | 1214% |
| Omega-3 EPA SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Omega-3 DPA SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Omega-3 DHA SR | 0 | g | — | — |
Individual Fatty Acids 11
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butyric Acid (4:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Caproic Acid (6:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Capric Acid (10:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Lauric Acid (12:0) SR | 0 | g | — | — |
| Myristic Acid (14:0) SR | 0.008 | g | — | — |
| Palmitic Acid (16:0) Foundation | 1.9 | g | — | — |
| Stearic Acid (18:0) Foundation | 1.2 | g | — | — |
| Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR | 5.9 | g | — | 35% |
| Omega-6 LA Foundation | 5.3 | g | — | — |
| Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR | 22.8 | g | — | — |
Amino Acids 19
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Unit | Per Serving | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan Foundation | 0.30 | g | — | — |
| Threonine Foundation | 0.93 | g | — | — |
| Isoleucine Foundation | 0.94 | g | — | — |
| Leucine Foundation | 1.4 | g | — | — |
| Lysine Foundation | 0.93 | g | — | — |
| Methionine Foundation | 0.40 | g | — | — |
| Cystine SR | 0.34 | g | — | — |
| Phenylalanine Foundation | 1.1 | g | — | — |
| Tyrosine Foundation | 0.57 | g | — | — |
| Valine Foundation | 1.1 | g | — | — |
| Arginine Foundation | 2.2 | g | — | — |
| Histidine Foundation | 0.51 | g | — | — |
| Alanine Foundation | 1.1 | g | — | — |
| Aspartic Acid Foundation | 2.3 | g | — | — |
| Glutamic Acid Foundation | 4.8 | g | — | — |
| Glycine Foundation | 1.4 | g | — | — |
| Proline Foundation | 0.87 | g | — | — |
| Serine Foundation | 1.1 | g | — | — |
| Hydroxyproline Foundation | 0.19 | g | — | — |
Nutrient Density Score
The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.
NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.
Nutrient Interactions in This Food
Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.
✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other
Vitamin B6 may enhance intracellular magnesium accumulation. Combined supplementation has shown greater benefits for stress and anxiety than magnesium alone.
Pouteau et al., PLoS One, 2018
Moderate protein intake enhances calcium absorption and supports bone health. The acid-ash hypothesis suggesting protein harms bones has been largely disproven.
Kerstetter et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2005
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism. Together with B12, these three nutrients regulate homocysteine levels.
Selhub, J Nutr Health Aging, 2002
⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete
Calcium inhibits both heme and non-heme iron absorption when consumed in the same meal. The effect is dose-dependent, with significant inhibition at 300+ mg calcium.
Hallberg et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991
High zinc intake induces metallothionein in enterocytes, which traps copper and blocks its absorption. Prolonged high-dose zinc can cause copper deficiency.
Prasad et al., JAMA, 1978; Fosmire, Am J Clin Nutr, 1990
Zinc and non-heme iron compete for the same intestinal transporter (DMT1). High doses of one can reduce absorption of the other when taken simultaneously.
Rossander-Hulten et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991
Very high calcium intake can reduce magnesium absorption by competing for shared intestinal transport pathways. A calcium:magnesium ratio above 2.6:1 may impair magnesium status.
Rosanoff et al., Nutr Rev, 2012
Phytates in high-fibre foods (whole grains, legumes) bind non-heme iron and reduce its bioavailability. Soaking, sprouting, and fermentation reduce phytate content.
Hurrell & Egli, Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2010
Amino Acid Profile
Essential amino acid composition compared to the WHO/FAO adult reference pattern. The Amino Acid Score indicates protein quality — 100 means all essential amino acid requirements are met.
✓ Complete protein — all essential amino acids meet or exceed WHO reference levels.
All Amino Acids (19)
| Amino Acid | g / 100g | mg / g protein |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.30 | 16.7 |
| Threonine | 0.93 | 51.6 |
| Isoleucine | 0.94 | 52.0 |
| Leucine | 1.4 | 76.5 |
| Lysine | 0.93 | 51.7 |
| Methionine | 0.40 | 22.3 |
| Cystine | 0.34 | 18.9 |
| Phenylalanine | 1.1 | 61.9 |
| Tyrosine | 0.57 | 31.7 |
| Valine | 1.1 | 63.1 |
| Arginine | 2.2 | 122.6 |
| Histidine | 0.51 | 28.5 |
| Alanine | 1.1 | 60.2 |
| Aspartic Acid | 2.3 | 128.1 |
| Glutamic Acid | 4.8 | 268.7 |
| Glycine | 1.4 | 76.8 |
| Proline | 0.87 | 48.4 |
| Serine | 1.1 | 63.1 |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.19 | 10.6 |
Fatty Acid Profile
Breakdown of fat types per 100g. A healthy fat profile favours unsaturated fats (mono + poly) and a balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
How Cooking Changes Nutrients
Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Nuts” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.
Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.
Insulin Response
The Insulin Index (II) measures the actual insulin response to food on a scale where white bread = 100. Unlike the Glycemic Index (which only measures blood sugar), the II captures the full hormonal response — including the effect of protein and fat on insulin secretion. This is why high-protein foods like meat and dairy can have significant insulin scores despite having low or zero GI values.
Source: Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014
Polyphenols & Bioactive Compounds
Polyphenols are plant-derived compounds with antioxidant properties. Higher intake is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk and improved gut health.
Health Associations
Research-backed associations for the polyphenol classes found in this food. Evidence strength rated from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Polyphenol data matched from: “Flaxseed” · ●●● high confidence
Source: Phenol-Explorer 3.6 (INRA, 2023) · Retention: Rothwell 2013, Palermo 2014 · Health: Del Bo' 2019, Grosso 2017
Environmental Impact
Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Nuts” category.
- Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
- System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
- Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
- Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.
Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.
Global Supply: Tree Nuts
Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Tree Nuts” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.
Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)
+75%Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Seeds, flaxseed?
Seeds, flaxseed contains 514 kcal per 100 grams, making it a very calorie-dense food. The energy comes from 18.0g of protein (14% of calories), 37.3g of fat (65%), and 34.4g of carbohydrates (27%). Fat is the primary energy source.
What is Seeds, flaxseed most nutritious for?
The standout nutrient in Seeds, flaxseed is Omega-3 ALA, providing 19.4 g per 100g (1214% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Selenium (247% DV). Our database tracks 94 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Is Seeds, flaxseed high in protein?
Seeds, flaxseed provides 18.0g of protein per 100 grams — a moderate amount. Protein contributes 14% of its calories.
How much fiber is in Seeds, flaxseed?
Yes, Seeds, flaxseed is rich in dietary fiber with 23.1g per 100 grams. The daily recommended intake is 25-38g, so a serving contributes meaningfully toward that goal. Dietary fiber supports digestive health and is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Does Seeds, flaxseed contain polyphenols?
Yes, Seeds, flaxseed contains approximately 1,528 mg of polyphenols per 100g, primarily from the very high class. Polyphenols are bioactive plant compounds associated with antioxidant properties. Their retention can vary with cooking and processing methods — see the processing impact section above for details.
What is the insulin index of Seeds, flaxseed?
Seeds, flaxseed has a low insulin response (II: 20) (estimated from macronutrient composition) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). This means it triggers relatively little insulin secretion, which may be relevant for those managing insulin sensitivity or following low-insulin dietary strategies. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.