flaxseed oil
Nuts & Seeds
Is flaxseed oil high in polyols?
Find out whether flaxseed oil is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why polyols food checker matters
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
- Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for flaxseed oil
Flaxseed oil is the pressed oil of the flax seed, so it carries the ALA and leaves the fibre, the mucilage and most of the lignans behind in the seedcake. That makes it one of the cleanest entries in the database: histamine, histamine liberation, salicylate, oxalate, nickel, lectins, gluten, lactose and every FODMAP group all grade A, and it does not carry the moderate nickel grade the whole seed does. Its weakness is stability rather than chemistry. Flaxseed oil oxidises faster than almost any oil in a home kitchen.
Watch for
Not a cooking oil. ALA carries three double bonds and degrades at low heat, so flaxseed oil belongs on food after it comes off the heat, never in the pan. / It goes rancid quickly. Buy small dark bottles, refrigerate after opening, and throw it out if it smells like paint, putty or fish. Oxidised oil is the most common reason people feel worse after taking up flaxseed oil. / Pressing strips the fibre and most of the lignans. If you started flax for regularity or for lignans, the oil does not do that job and the ground seed does. / It grades one step below the whole seed on the anti-inflammatory scale (B against A) and sits at B for the DASH and Mediterranean patterns, which is a fit note for a concentrated pure fat rather than a trigger. / Seed-derived oils are excluded during an AIP elimination, hence the E on paleo and AIP compatibility.
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Polyols Guide
Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Polyols sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:
- 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is flaxseed oil high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat flaxseed oil if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Paleo AIP, Inflammation, and Mediterranean next for a fuller picture.