Quinoa is considered the world’s one of the most consumed superfoods, but why?
It is rich in protein, gluten-free and of course one of few plant foods which contain adequate all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa is as well rich in fiber, B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, vitamin E, magnesium, and different health beneficial antioxidants.
Following are 8 health benefits of adding quinoa to your diet –
Quinoa is rich in nutrients
It is a grain crop that grows for its edible seeds. Quinoa technically is not a cereal grain, however a pseudo-cereal. It is basically a seed that is cooked and consumed similarly as other grain. Quinoa used to be an imperative crop for the Inca Empire and they used to refer to it as “mother of all grains.” It has been consumed for over thousands of years in South America, and has recently gained a trend as ‘superfood.’ Today, you can find quinoa products all over the globe, especially in health food stores and restaurants that promise only health-focused foods or emphasize the benefits of natural foods.
Quinoa contains Kaempferol and Quercetin – two health beneficial plant compounds
The health benefits of natural foods go just beyond minerals and vitamins. Quinoa has hundreds of trace nutrients, some of which are extremely good for our health. Antioxidants named Flavonoids (Kaempferol and Quercetin) are one of the main compounds of quinoa. In fact, quinoa has higher quercetin content than cranberries.
Richer in fiber than most staple grains
Another key benefit of this superfood is that it has high fiber content. One study shows that four different types of quinoa have a range of 10-16 grams of fiber per 100 grams. This ultimately equals 17-27 grams of each cup, which is quite high – almost twice as high as most standard grains. Boiled quinoa has been proven to contain lesser fiber, gram for gram as it absorbs water.
Quinoa is a gluten-free superfood – an ideal pick for people with gluten intolerance
As per the latest survey, about 1/3rd of Americans are trying to avoid gluten or minimize their consumption of gluten. A gluten-free diet is of course healthy, but as long as it is based on naturally gluten-free foods. Health conditions arise when people consume gluten-free foods that have been actually prepared with refined starches. Foods made with refined starches are better than gluten-containing ones. They are still junks.
Quinoa is rich in protein and with all essential amino acids
Protein is composed of amino acids, nine of which are referred to as essential because your body cannot produce them itself. A food that contains all nine essential amino acids, is considered a complete protein-dense food. However, the only problem is that most plant foods are deficient in some essential amino acids, for example, lysine. Quinoa, however, is an exception to such a claim as it contains an adequate amount of all the essential nine amino acids, making itself a brilliant source of protein. Quinoa has both better and more protein than most grains in the world.
It has a low glycemic index – good for blood sugar control
Glycemic index occurs to be a measure of how fast foods increase your blood sugar levels. Consuming foods that have a higher glycemic index stimulates hunger and greatly contributes to obesity. These foods are also linked to most common, Western chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiac diseases. Quinoa’s glycemic index is 53 which is considered much lower.
Quinoa is rich in important minerals such as magnesium and iron
Most people do not get enough important nutrients, especially magnesium, zinc, iron (for women), and potassium. Quinoa is high in all four minerals, specifically magnesium, with a single cup (185g) providing almost 30 percent of RDA.
It has interesting beneficial effects on metabolic health
Provided its health beneficial nutrients, it makes sense that the superfood quinoa can improve your metabolic health. As per studies, quinoa’s beneficial effects on human metabolic health is second-to-none. This means, if you use quinoa instead of conventional gluten-free pastas and breads, it will significantly lower the blood sugar, triglyceride, and insulin levels in your body.
Andean Star is not only a brand but a legacy. We have been producing and supplying organic quinoa for a significant amount of time. Having served a growing community across the U.S.A., we take pride in our knowledge and experience when it comes to handpicking the grains and packaging the product for sale.
We are a leading producer and supplier of organic quinoa in the current market, having an unsurpassed selection of quinoa in all available colors, including white, red, and black.