What Is Quinoa Made Of?

Quinoa is made of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals substantial to your body’s daily nutritional needs. Quinoa grain is the seed of a goosefoot plant, ancient to the Andes regions of South America and considered sacred by the Inca Empire for thousands of years. It is the mother of all grains. It is a pseudo cereal because it is not actually from the grass family, but the seed of a leafy plant that belongs to the Chenopodium family and its foliage is also edible like the amaranth and spinach.

Not all carbohydrates are broken down in the same way, the carbohydrates that make up quinoa is classified as complex carbohydrates that are slowly digested by the body and consequently causing a slower change in blood sugar level and really very beneficial to diabetics who have to watch their carbohydrate intake. What’s more is that quinoa is a whole grain and it has not been processed so the fiber content in quinoa is not diminished.

Whole grains like quinoa are excellent sources of fiber. Fiber in quinoa helps in the easy breakdown of fats in our body and therefore it is also very important in reducing the risk of high blood pressure and heart attack in middle age people. People whose diets have a high dietary fiber intake had a 29% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with a lower fiber intake.

Quinoa whole grain is a complete protein because it provides all the essential amino acids in a balanced diet. The protein in quinoa belongs mainly to albumin and globulin which have a balanced composition similar to the composition of casein or the protein of milk. It has lysine, a kind of protein responsible for tissue growth and body repair.

These essential amino acids help alleviate many diseases and disorders and is known to effectively combat depression and anxiety, control ADD in both adult and children and most recently, it is being considered by many nutritionists as one of the healthiest food for natural weight loss. With more high quality protein than any other whole grain and gluten-free which is very good for people with wheat allergies, quinoa is also light and delicate with a delicious crunchy and nutty flavor.

Whole grain quinoa is also a very good source of iron, copper and manganese and other phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals which guards our immune system and red blood cells from injuries caused by free radicals in our environment. These are essential nutrients that can reduce the risk of having childhood asthma and gluten-free unlike wheat which may have to be avoided as it is a common food allergen associated with asthma.

A good point to begin with is changing your diet and the way you eat. Switch to a wholefood diet with complex carbohydrates (whole wheat, rice, oats, millet, quinoa) and make certain that your diet contains no processed or refined food. In a study, compared to other grains, quinoa is higher in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc.

By: Tina Abbotts

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