5 Health Benefits of Quinoa

by Kar Yan | 27 Feb 2018

Quinoa is an interesting form of pseudocereal that is not considered a grain or a traditional cereal. One interesting fact is that quinoa is related to leafy vegetables such as spinach and Swiss chard. Quinoa has been grown for thousands of years in South America and is a staple diet of the Incas and their descendants.

Quinoa is a great wheat-free alternative to starchy grains and is considered an essential “wonder-food” because of its huge amount of proteins, vitamins, minerals and other goodness. It is also gluten free hence, is recommended for people who are on a gluten-free diet.

1. Protects kidney and liver

Quinoa’s antioxidant properties help in protecting your heart, liver, kidney, lungs and pancreas against oxidative stress. Its antioxidant properties also helps neutralize free radicals and help fight aging.

2. Weight loss

Quinoa is packed with a good amount of fiber that helps in losing weight. Due to its high fiber, it helps you to feel full for a longer period of time, its protein helps to improve your metabolism rate and keeping your sugar levels at bay.

3. Prevents cardiovascular disease

Quinoa contains high quality of proteins and carbohydrates with low glycemic index as well as rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These properties are known to lower cholesterol levels which can further reduce damage to your heart.

4. Good source of magnesium

The intake of magnesium from quinoa provides a few benefits; the control of asthma, keep bones healthy, reduce risk of osteoporosis and regulate blood sugar levels. Besides, magnesium helps to relax blood vessels and therefore relieve migraines.

5. Aids tissue repair and growth

Quinoa is rich in lysine, an amino acid that is important for tissue repair and growth. Due to its high amount of lysine, it allows the protein in quinoa to serve as a complete protein source.

Disclaimer: Please note that there is no guarantee all of these benefits will work 100% on every individual as everyone's body condition is different