Quinoa is a highly nutritious food from South America that was once considered “the gold of the Incas”. The Incas of South America considered it sacred and used it in their rituals. They referred to it as ‘chisaya mama’ or mother of all grains, with the Inca emperor sowing the first seeds of the season using ‘golden implements’. Quinoa is higher in amino acids and protein and can be easily substituted for almost any grain, as it is gluten free. The coating of the saponin gives it a bitter taste, so it needs to be washed away before cooking. Rich in proteins, iron, calcium and potassium, copper, and potassium, it helps prevent type2 diabetes, childhood asthma, heart diseases, gallstones and migraines. With this article, we will help you explore the benefits of this wonderful seed, quinoa.
Health Benefits Of Eating Quinoa
* Quinoa is rich in protein content. In fact, it is a complete protein as it contains all the essential amino acids, especially lysine, which is required by the body to grow muscle tissue. Lactalbumin content and whey protein both contain quinoa seeds in their composition. These both help in the growth of muscles and brain within the body.
* Rice is a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. In fact, it is a good source of gluten-free rice.
* Rice is rich in carbohydrates and vitamin E. The latter helps in the protection of the body against cancer and vitamin E also helps in the protection of the body from aging.
* The grains possess diuretic properties, which can be useful for the detoxification of the body system. In fact, it is said that quinoa is the only food that contains two times the amount of drinking water as it is packed with cilies. The chili present in the seeds is a natural diuretic. Quinoa is also rich in chlorophyll and it helps in the growth of red blood cells.
* The above nutrients present in the seeds help in preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Quinoa is often sold at organic food stores and it comes in varied colors. pink, yellow and white are common. Unlike other beans, quinoa seeds do not contain much protein. The protein content is provided by the bran and germ. Do not be fooled by the small size of the egg-like granules. It is because the egg is heavily laden with amino acids and healthy fats that make it very healthy to eat. You may be surprised to know that the fat and protein content of quinoa is lower than that of brown rice and nut, making it very healthy to eat.
Quinoa is also known to help provide the body with vitamins, minerals and other components daily needs. These dietary supplements ensure an important source of proteins and vitamins that are required to operate properly. Majority of the carbohydrates in the body are provided by the grain. The grains also aid in enriching the blood slowly and steadily. They also replace the needed carbohydrates in the body. Quinoa is slowly known to be a substitute for rice and it is very filling too. This is because it has a lower glycemic index compared to other grains. The fiber also adds bulk to the soil and helps controlling water absorption and moisture loss. Since the fiber is removed, more nutrients are able to be taken in. The fiber also regulates the balance of water and other nutrients in the body.
Quinoa is able to maintain a stable level of blood sugar within the body. This is because it contains a low glycemic index. Therefore, it is able to satisfy the body’s hunger for carbohydrates and proteins. The carbohydrates that are present in the grain are called glucomannan. This is a nutrient that is able to give energy to the body and is a fiber. The grain also contains galactose, which is a disaccharide, meaning two types of sugars formed by the two sugars. These sugars provide the necessary components for the body’s organisms to take in calories and continue living.
Among the foods in the grain family, quinoa is the only one that is able to satisfy the nutritional needs of infants and pregnant women. It is also the easiest food to digest. The grain must be soaked overnight at least 12 hours to allow the Quinoa to digest properly. The fiber and carbohydrates take care of the Gaz patta, or stomach acid, which prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. Gaz patta is the primary factor that discourages food spoilage.
Quinoa is high in magnesium and iron. Both of these nutrients are important for multiple biochemical processes in the body. They also help with weight loss and metabolism. The high fiber content helps regulate our bowel movements and produces several vitamins and minerals. Quinoa is also a low glycemic index food.
About The Author
Helena Eater
How much does the quality of food really matter? If you eat food that tastes good, your life will be better. If you eat food that tastes bad, your life will be worse. The difference between good and evil is partly subjective: what tastes good to me might taste bad to you. The difference is also partly objective: what restaurants I think serve good food might serve lousy food to you. But if we stick to objective measures — measures such as how much weight people gain or lose — we can cut through some of the subjectivity.
