The wonderful healthy Quinoa
Quinoa which is still relatively unknown used to be called the ‘gold of the Incas’ and for good reasons too. This native of South America is now slowly becoming popular especially amongst health food enthusiasts because of its many health benefits. Quinoa not only contains high protein but also has nine essential amino acids and it a great supplement to vegans’ diet which needs more protein intake.
We need the amino acid lysine for tissue growth and tissue repair and Quinoa is an excellent source of this nutrient. Other than that, Quinoa is packed full of many other nutrients which gave it the super grain nickname. Due to its nutrients and high protein content, it is most suitable for vegans, athletes, pregnant women or simply anyone looking to add more healthy food to their diets.
Quinoa has high nutritional benefits as it has manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus. This super grain that has a mild nutty flavor is also a non-allergenic food although it does contain oxalate so it is a restricted food for those allergic to oxalate. With all these nutrients, how healthy is Quinoa and how does one cook Quinoa? Read on to find out.
Quinoa, which is rich in magnesium is good for your heart health and also great for preventing migraines. Magnesium can help your blood vessels to relax which is good to prevent heart disease and migraines. Migraines are caused by constriction of blood vessels so if you consume Quinoa frequently, it may just reduce your migraine incidence. Quinoa is a wholegrain and it is a known fact and proven through research that by consuming wholegrain like Quinoa for breakfast, you will lower your risk of heart failure.
Quinoa also contains copper and manganese and these two nutrients are very good antioxidants. Antioxidants work to protect you from the harmful effects of free radicals. Not only that, Quinoa as a whole grain also protects women against breast cancer and prevents gall stones in women. With all these great health benefits, it is time you get a package of Quinoa and learn 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.