Quinoa – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

06/21/2017 / By Frances Bloomfield

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is a grain crop originally from the areas surrounding Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia. Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, quinoa was a staple food of the pre-Columbian civilizations. Although quinoa was replaced by cereals after the Spanish conquistadors entered South America, it has since become one of the most popular and widely consumed health foods on the planet. Its reputation as a superfood is such that the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) singled out quinoa as a food with “high nutritive value” and deemed 2013 as “The International Year of Quinoa”.

List of known nutrients

Quinoa is contains all the essential amino acids and is thus a first-rate source of plant-based protein. A cup of quinoa holds eight grams or 16 percent of the recommended daily value of protein, making it a food ideal for vegetarians and vegans. As a highly nutritious grain crop, quinoa is dense with minerals, vitamins, and even antioxidants like:

Calcium
Copper
Fiber
Folate
Iron
Kaempferol
Lysine
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Potassium
Quercetin
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B6
Vitamin E
Zinc

Medicinal uses for quinoa

Since quinoa is naturally gluten-free it can be enjoyed by individuals who suffer from Celiac disease or other forms of gluten intolerance. Quinoa has the added benefit of being high in the plant antioxidants quercetin and kaempferol, which makes it an average antioxidant that offers anti-inflammatory and anti-viral benefits. Regular consumption of quinoa can abate the development of conditions such as:

Allergies
Anemia
Cancer
Constipation
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Heart diseases and disorders
High cholesterol
Hypercalciuria
Hypertension
Kidney stones
Osteoporosis

A one-cup serving of quinoa can deliver 15 percent of the recommended daily allowance of iron. As one of the best sources of this mineral, quinoa can lower the risk of anemia. Folate, a nutrient that can assist the body in better iron absorption, is even more abundant in quinoa than iron. Together, they make quinoa one of the top foods for preventing iron deficiency.

Quinoa is an excellent grain for bone health because it’s packed with magnesium. Similar to folate, magnesium is plays a key role in the proper absorption and metabolism of calcium.

Quinoa has a low glycemic index of 53, meaning it’s a food that is good for blood sugar control and a top choice for diabetics.

Body systems supported by quinoa

With its wide range of vitamins and minerals, quinoa can greatly boost endurance by supplying the body with iron, magnesium, zinc, and much more. These nutrients work in harmony to maintain and strengthen numerous body systems and organs, which include:

Bones
Digestive system
Heart
Kidneys
Liver
Muscles
Skin

Ways to use quinoa

Quinoa is easy to incorporate into almost any diet. The simplest way is to substitute the rice part of a meal with quinoa. Since quinoa exploded in popularity, however, there have been countless recipes that have used quinoa as the prime ingredient or as an additional component. These range from quinoa pancakes to quinoa and chickpea burgers to quinoa porridge to vegetarian casserole.

Note that quinoa has phytic acid, a substance that acts as a mineral blocker and inhibits proper absorption. Soaking or sprouting quinoa before cooking it will cut down on phytic acid. One other advantage of soaking is that it will rid quinoa of saponin, a mildly toxic substance that will make quinoa taste bitter or soapy.

Where to learn more

Summary

Quinoa is an excellent source of iron and can lower the risk of anemia.

It is also rich in folate.

Quinoa promotes bone health.

The grain has a low glycemic index, making it an ideal option for diabetics.

Sources include:

WHFoods.org
AuthorityNutrition.com
Well-BeingSecrets.com
Health.com
BBCGoodFood.com

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