Quinoa

Want to be healthy and fit? You can be by incorporating tasty food in your daily routine, which has innumerable effects on skin, hair and health. All we want is one bowl full of quinoa every day to keep your health right in place. 

Quinoa is a versatile grain that is available in grocery stores. It has various colours like red, white, black and tasty grain included in many dishes to enhance the taste.

It is covered with a protective external layer called saponin, which is a chemical compound and is bitter in taste, acts as a natural pesticide. Quinoa is a source of manganese, magnesium, folate, fibre, phosphorus, thiamine(vitamin)B1.

It is classified under whole grain and consists of fiber and protein content majorly, and has nine essential amino acids, which our body can’t secrete on its own. Quinoa is gluten-free and good for people who have celiac disease.

Health Benefits of Quinoa

1. Quinoa is a rich source of fiber.  As compared with other grains, quinoa is considered as the one which is high in fiber content. Including a fibre-rich diet can help in preventing many diseases like constipation, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It makes you feel full for a longer time and makes you avoid consuming more calories. 

2. Quinoa is packed with antioxidants. Quinoa ranks first place when it comes to the gluten-free- diet. Even though corn, rice and potato flour are considered gluten-free. They are less nutritious than quinoa. 

3. Quinoa consists of vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant and keeps one from coronary heart disease, eye-related problems and fatal cancers. It consists of kaempferol and quercetin, which cures lots of chronic conditions in the body like inflammations and protects the body from many diseases. mainly kaempferol protects the body against many infections, heart disease, lethal cancers. 

4. Manganese is significant in regulating metabolic activity in the body. This element regulates many physiological functions by reacting with few enzymes.

5. Iron regulates many physiological functions in the body. It is a potent mineral that regulates the haemoglobin levels in the body and transports oxygen to the blood. Adequate amounts of iron can regulate proper cellular functions and provide strength to muscles.

6. Folate is a very essential mineral to maintain and regulate neurological function; it repairs the damaged nerve cells.  Pregnant women take folic acid supplements to develop the nerve cells and growth of the fetus. It prevents babies from neural tube deficiencies. However, ingesting quinoa on a regular basis can benefit one from acquiring an amount of folate requirement.

7. Every cell in the body consists of magnesium and it helps in carrying out 300 enzymatic functions in the body. Low levels of magnesium lead to cardiovascular diseases, migraine, diabetes type-2 and high blood pressure.

8. Quinoa aids weight loss. Due to its high protein and fiber content, it helps in promoting proper metabolic function in the body. Protein helps in repairing muscles and maintains their tenacity of them. Fiber takes a long time to get digested and creates a feeling of fullness for a longer time. If you’re planning for weight loss it is mandatory to exercise and burn calories, then only you will meet your desired weight number.

9. It can be easily ingested in diet and is available in many food stores. Quinoa is used in making many dishes. It is important to wash the grains before cooking to eliminate saponins, the external layer which can lead to a bitter taste. Usually, quinoa is tasty, crunchy and nutty and it can be used in hot and sweet dishes. 

Take Away

Quinoa takes twenty minutes to get ready. Take two cups of water and one cup of quinoa, and pinch of salt in a container and put it to boil for up to 15-20 minutes, it absorbs lots of water and gets fluffy then it is done.

You can find many recipes related to quinoa online and include them in breakfast, lunch and dinner.