Ancient grains such as farro, amaranth, quinoa, and barley are increasingly becoming well-known due to their countless health benefits. But since then, it is quinoa that is referred to as the mother of all grains. In this article, we will be looking at nutritional facts about quinoa.
Quinoa is a varied type of grains. Over time, the variants continue to multiply, but the most common we see in the store shelves today is the black, red, and white variants. These are popular to health-conscious individuals because it is rich in protein, gluten-free and is deemed as one of the rare plants that contain adequate amounts of nine vital amino acids that the human body requires. What’s more, quinoa is also filled with potassium, vitamin B and E, calcium, fiber, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and other different antioxidants.
Nutrients in Quinoa Facts (per 100 grams):
Nutrients | Value |
Calories | 120 |
Total Fat | 1.9 g |
Saturated | 0.2 g |
Polyunsaturated | 1.1 g |
Monosaturated | 0.5 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 7 mg |
Potassium | 172 mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 21 g |
Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g |
Sugar | 0.9 g |
Protein | 4.4 g |
Vitamin A | 0% |
Calcium | 60 mg |
Vitamin D | 0% |
Vitamin B12 | 0% |
Vitamin C | 0% |
Iron | 8% |
Vitamin B6 | 6% |
Magnesium | 16% |
Zinc | 3.3 mg |
Substantial Factors to you Need to Know about Quinoa
- This type of grain is comparably rich in antioxidants as compared with other types of cereals and grains.
- It comes with a naturally bitter coating referred to as “saponin” which serves as a powerful herbicide.
- It has been perceived to have the capability to ward off different kinds of ailments.
- Quinoa is a piece of cake to prepare and can be done in minutes.
- In a botanical perspective, quinoa is categorized as a pseudo-cereal and not a type of grain. This simply conveys that it’s not a form of grass-grown plant that is consumed similarly as grains and cereals and they generally come with the same nutritional profile.
- On the other hand, from a nutritional perspective, quinoa is regarded as a type of whole grain. As you know, whole grains consist of the whole intact grain seed without the need to get rid of any of its components. Such grains aid in balancing the digestive system and help keep you more satisfied and feeling full.
Quinoa Nutritional Facts
1. Helps in weight loss
Many people who wish to shed a few pounds add quinoa in their daily diet since this is high in fiber and protein. The former is a valuable factor in weight loss since it aids bolster metabolism and gives you the feeling of being satisfied for a longer period. Thus, this helps inhibit the possibility of the formation of fat-causing diseases and obesity.
Meanwhile, the latter just like protein is a key factor in losing weight as it is adept at supporting reduced calorie consumption using stimulating the feelings of fullness and this aid in enhancing gut health. As compared to other types of whole-grain foods, quinoa is higher in fiber.
2. Beneficial for controlling blood sugar
Quinoa contains a low glycemic index. It is essential to understand that consuming foods that contain high glycemic index could trigger hunger and may also a big factor in causing obesity, which is a significant nutrition fact about quinoa.
Such types of foods have also been connected to several common and incessant Western ailments such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Quinoa contains a low glycemic index of 53. Nonetheless, please be guided that quinoa still contains moderately high carbs that makes it not an ideal option if you are into a low-carb type of diet.
3. Anti-inflammatory benefits
Various whole grains like quinoa greatly aid in reducing the risk of harmful inflammation. This aids in stimulating healthy gut microbes that are vital for inhibiting various diseases, inflammation and causes of obesity.
4. Quinoa contains a good amount of fiber content
As you might already know, fiber plays a very vital role in reducing the levels of cholesterol. As mentioned earlier, fiber does a good job in healthy digestion that necessitates bile acids. it is substantial to note that these are partly composed of cholesterol. This works by liver removing the cholesterol from the blood to form more bile acids as the digestive system improves. A nutrition fact about quinoa is that eating them will help in digestion problems!
5. Quinoa is pack with complete protein
It is recognized as the only plant food that can supply the required protein needed by the body. Furthermore, it is capable of providing all fundamental amino acids in a vigorous balance.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, quinoa is rich in essential nutrients as compared to other grains and this is comparably rich in protein as well. It is filled with plant compounds, minerals and vitamins, and antioxidants.
More than that, it is gluten-free and does a wonderful job of reducing blood sugar levels and can help a person healthily shed extra kilos. If you hope to boost the nutrient content in your diet, it will be more beneficial to add quinoa in your daily food consumption. This will be a good start to living a healthier lifestyle.
I hope that this article on quinoa nutrition facts was helpful. If you are interested, visit the health facts page!