Shelf Life of Ground Flaxseed

Keeping ground flaxseed cold increases its shelf life.

Keep ground flaxseed in your refrigerator to keep it fresh and to have it ready to add to your food. Add flaxseed to a variety of foods and recipes, from baked goods to beverages, to increase their omega-3 content.

Time Frame

Ground flaxseed kept in an airtight container has a shelf life of three to four months. Keeping it in the refrigerator or freezer extends the freshness to the outer limits of this time span.

Considerations

Include 1/2 cup to 2 cups of ground flaxseed in many recipes, including bread, cookies or muffins. Add it to salads, smoothies and oatmeal for simple, daily inclusion in your diet.

Significance

Flaxseed and flax oil contain an essential fatty acid (alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA) that may promote heart health and fight arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, renal disease and high blood pressure.

References

• University of New Hampshire Health Services: The Scoop of Flaxseed
• University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed
• North Dakota State University Agriculture: Flaxseed as Functional Food for People and as Feed for Other Animals