They are calling it the ‘Super Grain of the Future’. Organic Quinoa is making all the right waves in the health and fitness community what with it being gluten-free, and rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, B vitamins, vitamin E, phosphorus, and magnesium. Now that’s a whole lot of grainy goodness in one organic package. Quinoa is the only plant-based food that is classified a ‘complete protein’.

What else does Quinoa contain that has rendered this grain supreme?

1. Bioactive Substances

It has two of these ‘trace nutrients’, namely Kaempferol and Quercetin that come under the Flavanoid category.

• Essentially plant-based amino acids, their health benefits are immense.
• Quinoa contains large amounts of both flavanoids mentioned above; in fact, even cranberries do not have as much Quercetin content as Quinoa.

• These compounds have proven (in animal studies, at least) to fight cancer-causing molecules, inflammation, viruses, even depression.

Such powerful natural substances are crucial, as you can imagine.

2. Low Glycemic Index

This basically means it has low sugar content. Your glycemic index has to do with how fast food can spike blood sugar levels in your body. Food that show high glycemic indices end up leaving you hungry for more; you can see how obesity will follow.

• Thanks to a low glycemic index of 53, Quinoa is known to prevent heart disease and diabetes.

Small amounts of this grain are perfect, especially for those on a low-carb diet. Quinoa packs plenty of carbs. This seems to be the only downside for Quinoa, namely an abundance of carbs that you can burn off through exercise (if you happen to have a routine going).

3. Antioxidants

Most people will know how antioxidants have the power to neutralize free radicals produced in the body. This process is inevitable but that does not mean you can sit back and give free reign to free radicals.

• Quinoa’s antioxidants battle several diseases, not to mention ageing (most women will not mind calling ageing a disease).
• In a comparison study that involved 2 legumes, 3 pseudocereals, and 5 cereals Quinoa showed the highest antioxidant content.

If you nurture Quinoa seeds into sprouting before you take them to the kitchen, you ensure higher antioxidant content.

4. Amino Acids

All the ones your body needs are contained in Quinoa. Amino acids are the very building blocks of protein, after all. In fact when you see the word ‘essential’ appended to the words ‘amino acids’ it means you cannot producte them naturally in your body and therefore need to include them in your diet.

• Many plant foods lack amino acids like Lysine; sufficient quantities of them are absent.
• Quinoa contains more and better protein content via its amino acid levels than any other plant-based grain.

Vegans are certain to adore the 8 grams of protein in each cooked cup of Quinoa.

5. Metabolism

The crux of Quinoa’s fat-burning calorie-killing properties rests in this benefit. While more studies are needed to fully confirm Quinoa’s metabolism boosting effects, it has shown to achieve it more often than people expected it to.

• The studies conducted so far saw people displaying reductions in blood sugar levels when they adopted Quinoa in their diet as compared to some gluten-free bread.
• Even insulin and triglyceride levels greatly reduced.
• In a study that used rats, the addition of Quinoa to a diet rich in fructose (which is bad for your health) saw the grain almost completely culling the negative influence of fructose.

Your metabolism determines how much calories your body can burn. The stronger it is the more diseases you can fight off too.

Conclusion

Quinoa is not that hard to integrate into your diet. If you are looking to lose weight, for instance, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn via exercise or a strict diet. Quinoa has shown also to boost metabolism, meaning you burn calories faster. It also reduces appetite, meaning you are encouraged from within to eat in moderation.

Its rich protein content influences both factors not to forget fiber that makes you feel ‘full and satisfied’. The low glycemic index adds to the awesomeness of Quinoa, ensuring even fewer calories going into your system. Strangely enough, few studies have reported on Quinoa’s almost-obvious benefit to losing weight, among several other beneficial effects this wonder-grain has on your body. 

For more information on organic Quinoa, click here