Quin-WHAT?
Quinoa! We’ve all heard this food mentioned through passing conversations, I’ve heard my health-conscious friends raving about how amazing it is or seen it in magazine articles, but I didn’t really know what all the fuss was about and how this so called “Supergrain of the Future” became so popular.
Cooked Quinoa. Image taken from Photobucket. Uploaded by username: Fesenberg5000
Little did I know quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) has actually been around for almost four thousand years, since the Incas first realized that this seed was fit for human consumption, and is now one of the world’s healthiest foods. This grain-like, pseudocereal originated from the Andes region of South America and is now a staple food consumed worldwide. Interestingly, quinoa is able to survive at many different growing conditions: thin and cold air, hot sun, salty or sandy soil, little rainfall or even sub-freezing temperatures, which makes it extremely versatile.
This video describes the many benefits of Quinoa. Taken from Youtube username: danispies
When cooked, quinoa looks and tastes like a grain, which is the reason it is typically grouped with cereals and also the reason why researchers refer to it as a “pseudocereal”. However, even though it looks like a grain, quinoa is in fact a seed that comes from the same family as spinach and beets and is more nutritionally rich than any other cereal grain. Not to mention it tastes great!
Not hooked yet? Let’s talk about some health benefits of quinoa:
1) Complete protein – Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids needed by the body and is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat.
Quinoa growing naturally. Image taken from Photobucket. Retrieved by username: medlend
2) Fibre – Quinoa contains almost twice as much fibre as other grains. Fibre is important because it lowers cholesterol, makes you eat less because it is “energy dense”, and also prevents heart disease by lowering blood pressure and diabetes.
3) Iron – Carrier of oxygen in our blood and increases our brain function.
4) Lysine – Quinoa contains the amino acid lysine which is essential for tissue growth and repair.
5) Magnesium – Helps relax muscles and blood vessels which lowers blood pressure. Quinoa has high levels of this element.
6) Manganese and Copper – Both minerals are antioxidants that help the body get rid of cancer and disease causing agents.
Along with containing all the essential amino acids, trace elements and minerals, quinoa is also gluten-free so it is a great alternative for the many people that are plagued by gluten allergies. It has been said by researcher Philip White in an article: “While no single food can supply all the essential life sustaining nutrients, quinoa comes as close as any other in the plant or animal kingdom.” No wonder NASA has proposed quinoa as an ideal food for long duration space flights!
I don’t know about you, but I’m won over. Go to your local grocery store and try it out: who would not want to reap the benefits of this superfood!
-Narissa
