Like superheroes swooping in to save the day, superfoods are those that rescue our bodies from illness, nutritional deficiencies and the threat of obesity. There is no technical definition for the term superfood, but the word is typically associated with foods that offer multiple benefits for the body without a high amount of fat and calories accompanying them.
With only 222 calories per serving and only 4 grams of unsaturated fat, quinoa meets the low cal, low fat definition of a superfood, but does it offer many benefits for the body? Discover what quinoa is by taking a look at a few studies:
- A high protein grain alternative. A 2009 study at the University of Chile found that 15 percent of the total content of quinoa is protein, more than double the amount found in most standard grains. The study also revealed that quinoa has a complete amino acid profile, meaning that with each serving, you’re giving your body all of the nine key building blocks for making protein.
- A weapon in the fight against diabetes and hypertension. In 2009, the Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil released the findings of a study that showed quinoa’s abilities to lower blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes. What’s more, the study found that consuming the seed on a regular basis helped to lower blood pressure levels in those with hypertension. The scientists credited the presence of quercetin derivatives in the grain for its positive effects on blood glucose and the cardiovascular system.
- A natural appetite suppressant. A 2005 study at the University of Milan found that quinoa was effective at controlling appetite and helping study participants consume less food throughout the day. The study goes on to recommend quinoa as a food for dieters due to its high protein and low calorie nutritional profile.
- An anti-aging miracle. The University degli Studi di Foggia in Italy recently released the findings of a 2012 study on the antioxidative abilities of quinoa. The researchers concluded that quinoa is an excellent source of free phenols, which destroy free radicals in the bloodstream. As a result, quinoa can help slow down the aging process, decrease the risk of cancer and delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Clearly, quinoa offers many proven nutritional benefits while introducing very little calories and fat to the diet. You can call quinoa a superfood, a miracle seed or any other name you like. The important thing is that you call it “breakfast,” “lunch,” or “supper” and find ways to incorporate this nutritious food into your daily meals.
Somehow, a super food that simply health advocates like us have known about for years is now general fare for a wave of twenty something eating at fashionable coffee shops and delis. Get your own quinoa and start cooking today
Although there is no bookkeeping for taste or trends, quinoa does have some dominant health benefits. It tastes great, it contains high protein, and it is an element of another major food trend of nowadays: gluten free eating.
Although considered a grain, quinoa is in fact a seed from a vegetable linked to Swiss chard, spinach and beets. Quinoa is pronounced as “keen-wah,” not “kwin-oh-ah.” Learn its benefits, which make it one of the super food on this earth, in this article.
Health Benefits of Quinoa
1. Higher in protein — its protein balance is alike to milk and has more protein contrasted to rice, millet or wheat.
2. A good resource of riboflavin — riboflavin helps decrease the frequency attacks in migraine sufferers by boosting the energy metabolism within the muscle cells and brain.
3. The saponins from quinoa are utilized to help healing of skin injuries in South America, which makes it a good sterile.
4. Its alkaline-forming. Although it is not powerfully alkaline-forming, it is similar to wild rice, amaranth, and shoot out grains.
5. It simply has 172 calories per ¼ cup dry quinoa.
6. Since it is not associated to wheat or grain, it’s gluten-free. Millions of people are discovering they feel recovered and lose weight when they decrease gluten grains or at least wheat products.
7. It is a multifaceted carbohydrate with little glycemic index. This is again good for weight administration.
Quinoa is rich in a number of minerals, vitamins, fats and proteins. It can be a complete meal and enhance the dietary portion of your diet. Add quinoa to your diet and feel better.
