Though technically seeds, quinoas get recognization as whole grains. It is a good source of plant protein, minerals, and fibers.
In the past few years, quinoas have achieved immense popularity for their nutritional benefits. They are simple to harvest and nutrient-rich food products. Quinoas is a better alternative to wheat-based products as they are gluten-free.
Health benefits of quinoas?
Quinoa is rich in various nutrients that provide numerous health benefits:
- Quinoa is a complete protein food that is it consists of all nine essential amino acids. So, including quinoas in our diet fulfills the daily requirement of proteins.
- Quinoa has an exceptional amount of fibers compared to other grains. Including fiber-rich food in our diet improves our gut health by helping benefactor bacteria in our gut and promoting uniform bowel movements.
- High-fiber food like quinoas is a better alternative to other snacks in our weight reduction regimen.
- Quinoa is a gluten-free grain that makes it a food of choice for people suffering from gluten intolerance like celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
- Quinoa is rich in folate, vitamin E, and B6, which makes it beneficial for our nervous health. Folate is an essential vitamin for the growth and development of the fetus in the mother’s womb. So, quinoas can be a good food during pregnancy.
- Quinoa is an excellent source of numerous crucial minerals (iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus) that have countless health benefits.
- In addition to the minerals, protein, and fibers, quinoas are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds such as Quercetin and Kaempferol. These two flavonoid compounds are good for our health and protect us from harmful free radicals.
- Including quinoas and quinoa-based food products in your diet have multiple additional benefits:
- Quinoas maintain blood sugar levels in our blood
- It gives the feeling of fullness with smaller food quantity, therefore helping weight management.
- It reduces bad (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol level, making it beneficial for our heart.
Although quinoas is a nutrient-rich food, it also has some anti-nutrients such as:
- Tannins
- Phytic acid
- Saponins
These anti-nutrients bind with the other nutrients (magnesium and iron) and reduce their absorption in our system. So, before adding them to our diet, we should rinse, soak, or sprout to make quinoas free from these anti-nutrients.
Quinoa is a very versatile grain; we can add them to our diet in various ways as savory and sweet dishes. Quinoas can be a great healthy breakfast option. We can enjoy its numerous health benefits.