Flaxseeds vs. Edamame

Nutrition comparison of Flaxseeds and Edamame


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of flaxseeds versus edamame (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in flaxseeds and edamame:

  • Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in calcium, calories, dietary fiber, iron, potassium and protein.
  • Edamame has 4.9 times less saturated fat than flaxseed.
  • Edamame has 69% less carbohydrates than flaxseed.
  • Flaxseed has more thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid and Vitamin B6, however, edamame contains more folate.
Detailed nutritional comparison of flaxseeds and edamame is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Flaxseeds (Seeds, flaxseed) and Edamame (Edamame, frozen, prepared) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Flaxseeds src
Image of Edamame src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in calories. Flaxseed has 341% more calories than edamame - edamame has 121 calories per 100 grams and flaxseed has 534 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, flaxseeds is much lighter in protein, lighter in carbs and much heavier in fat compared to edamame per calorie. Flaxseeds has a macronutrient ratio of 13:21:66 and for edamame, 37:27:36 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Flaxseeds Edamame
Protein 13% 37%
Carbohydrates 21% 27%
Fat 66% 36%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Edamame has 69% less carbohydrates than flaxseed - edamame has 8.9g of total carbs per 100 grams and flaxseed has 28.9g of carbohydrates.

The carbs in edamame are made of 58% dietary fiber, 25% sugar and 17% starch, whereas the carbs in flaxseeds comprise of 95% dietary fiber and 5% sugar.

dietary fiber

Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in dietary fiber. Flaxseed has 425% more dietary fiber than edamame - edamame has 5.2g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and flaxseed has 27.3g of dietary fiber.

sugar

Edamame and flaxseeds contain similar amounts of sugar - edamame has 2.2g of sugar per 100 grams and flaxseed has 1.6g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in protein. Flaxseed has 54% more protein than edamame - edamame has 11.9g of protein per 100 grams and flaxseed has 18.3g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Edamame has 4.9 times less saturated fat than flaxseed - edamame has 0.62g of saturated fat per 100 grams and flaxseed has 3.7g of saturated fat.

trans fat

Both edamame and flaxseeds are low in trans fat - edamame has 0.01g of trans fat per 100 grams and flaxseed does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamins

Vitamin C

Edamame has 917% more Vitamin C than flaxseed - edamame has 6.1mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and flaxseed has 0.6mg of Vitamin C.

Vitamin A

Edamame has more Vitamin A than flaxseed - edamame has 15ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and flaxseed does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamin E

Edamame and flaxseeds contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - edamame has 0.68mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and flaxseed has 0.31mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Edamame has 521% more Vitamin K than flaxseed - edamame has 26.7ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and flaxseed has 4.3ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Flaxseed has more thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid and Vitamin B6, however, edamame contains more folate. Both flaxseeds and edamame contain significant amounts of riboflavin.

Flaxseeds Edamame
Thiamin 1.644 MG 0.2 MG
Riboflavin 0.161 MG 0.155 MG
Niacin 3.08 MG 0.915 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.985 MG 0.395 MG
Vitamin B6 0.473 MG 0.1 MG
Folate 87 UG 311 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in calcium. Flaxseed has 305% more calcium than edamame - edamame has 63mg of calcium per 100 grams and flaxseed has 255mg of calcium.

iron

Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in iron. Flaxseed has 152% more iron than edamame - edamame has 2.3mg of iron per 100 grams and flaxseed has 5.7mg of iron.

potassium

Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in potassium. Flaxseed has 86% more potassium than edamame - edamame has 436mg of potassium per 100 grams and flaxseed has 813mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids,

Flaxseeds Edamame
lutein + zeaxanthin 651 UG 1619 UG
beta-carotene ~ 175 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than edamame per 100 grams.

Flaxseeds Edamame
alpha linoleic acid 22.813 G 0.358 G
EPA ~ 0.003 G
Total 22.813 G 0.361 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, flaxseed has more linoleic acid than edamame per 100 grams.

Flaxseeds Edamame
other omega 6 0.007 G 0.002 G
linoleic acid 5.903 G 1.792 G
Total 5.91 G 1.794 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by common portions, e.g. cups, packages. You can also see a more concrete comparison by weight at equal weight (by grams) comparison.

Note: The specific food items compared are: Flaxseeds (Seeds, flaxseed) and Edamame (Edamame, frozen, prepared) .

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FAQ

Does edamame or flaxseeds contain more calories in 100 grams?
Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in calories. Flaxseed has 340% more calories than edamame - edamame has 121 calories in 100g and flaxseed has 534 calories.

Is edamame or flaxseeds better for protein?
Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in protein. Flaxseed has 50% more protein than edamame - edamame has 11.9g of protein per 100 grams and flaxseed has 18.3g of protein.

Does edamame or flaxseeds contain more calcium?
Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in calcium. Flaxseed has 310% more calcium than edamame - edamame has 63mg of calcium in 100 grams and flaxseed has 255mg of calcium.

Does edamame or flaxseeds contain more iron?
Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in iron. Flaxseed has 150% more iron than edamame - edamame has 2.3mg of iron in 100 grams and flaxseed has 5.7mg of iron.

Does edamame or flaxseeds contain more potassium?
Both edamame and flaxseeds are high in potassium. Flaxseed has 90% more potassium than edamame - edamame has 436mg of potassium in 100 grams and flaxseed has 813mg of potassium.