The super grain Quinoa is still not a common food but there is a reason why this native of South America used to be called the ‘gold of the Incas’. This grain has many health benefits and has the most complete protein compared to any other grain. It also has nine essential amino acids. This grain is in fact a great addition to any vegan’s diet due to its complete protein.
Quinoa has high amounts of the amino acid lysine and this nutrient is especially good for tissue growth and tissue repair. Not only that, Quinoa is so packed with so many different nutrients that it earned the nickname super grain. It is a complete protein and is a great addition to the diets of vegans, athletes, pregnant women or everyone in need of some high protein, healthy grains.
The super grain Quinoa has nutrients like manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus. It may sound weird but this grain tastes great with a mild nutty flavor and is not known to be an allegenic food. However it does contain oxalate so those with an allergy to oxalate will need to avoid eating it. By now, you must be wondering how healthy is this grain and how do you cook it? Here are some more benefits of Quinoa:
Due to the magnesium content in this grain, Quinoa is good for your heart and also for those prone to migraines. This is because magnesium is known to relax blood vessels. Migraines are usually caused by the constriction of blood vessels and if you eat Quinoa regularly, it may reduce the frequency of your migraines. As a wholegrain, Quinoa can also reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Research has proven that those who eat a healthy breakfast containing wholegrain like Quinoa have a lower risk of heart failure.
Quinoa is also a good source of copper and manganese which are great antioxidants to protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. As a whole grain, it is also a great protection against breast cancer for women. Not only that, due to its high fiber nature, Quinoa is also great for preventing gall stones. Now that you know about the health benefits of Quinoa, lets look at how to choose your Quinoa and how to cook it!
Nowadays, there are plenty of prepackaged Quinoa being sold at stores and natural food stores. It comes in a variety of colors from yellow to red to even black. Whatever the color, the taste and texture of Quinoa is relatively the same, it has a nice nutty and creamy flavor and it has a crunchy texture. To cook it, one needs only cook it like rice. Add two parts of water to one part of Quinoa and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Of course there are also plenty of delicious recipes for cooking Quinoa so you don’t even have to worry about how to eat it! So, it is really time to add this super grain to your diet now.