Why Quinoa is one of healthiest foods on the planet
Quinoa is the ‘Super’ of all ‘Super foods’. Described as a "superfood" or a "super” grain it is packed with protein, fibre and various vitamins and minerals. It is also gluten-free and often used as a substitute for rice. It is a fabulous source of protein, fibre, iron, copper, thiamine and vitamin B6 and an excellent source of magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and folate. It has an exceptional balance" of protein, oil and fat, as well as minerals, fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins, which, in anyone’s book, makes it a highly nutritious food. It also contains phytohormones which are being studied as a treatment for menopause symptoms because they sometimes behave like oestrogens in the body.
Quinoa is most famous for being one of the only plant foods that supplies complete proteins, offering all essential amino acids in a healthy balance. As the world of health is still working to understand all the implications of chronic inflammation on the body's health, diseases such as autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and Chrohn's disease all have one thing in common, in which chronic inflammation plays a vital role. Less obvious disorders influenced by chronic inflammation may include cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Quinoa and other whole grains may help decrease the risk of this dangerous inflammation, plus help to promote healthy gut microbes (the friendly bacteria in the gut), which is important for preventing obesity. Gluten-free diets are recommended for people with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance. Quinoa's good fibre content can also aid in lowering cholesterol levels as fibre aids in digestion, which requires bile acids, which are made partly with cholesterol. As your digestion improves, the liver pulls cholesterol from the blood to create more bile acid, which helps reduce the amount of bad cholesterol. Lowering LDL cholesterol is good for your heart, but quinoa can benefit your heart in other ways too. Quinoa seeds possess many of the dietary flavonoids shown to help with heart disease by providing heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, as well as omega 3. One cup of cooked quinoa contains 21 percent of the recommended daily intake of fibre, which is great news for your gut. Quinoa is easier to digest than many other grains and reports of feeling fuller after eating grains such as quinoa, buckwheat or oats, rather than rice or wheat. According to some scientists, the fibre in quinoa could actually help people live longer as a high fibre intake may reduce the risk of total mortality. It seems that the link between whole-grain consumption and death from chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and more is particularly beneficial.
Comments