Healing Foods Database » Quinoa

Quinoa

Quinoa is a flowering plant in the amaranth family. It is a herbaceous annual plant grown as a grain crop primarily for its edible seeds. Quinoa is not a grass like wheat or rice, but rather a pseudocereal botanically related to spinach and amaranth.


Health Benefits

  • Quinoa is an edible seed that has become increasingly popular among health-conscious people. It’s loaded with many important nutrients.

  • Quinoa contains large amounts of flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol. These are potent plant antioxidants with numerous health benefits.

  • Quinoa is much higher in fiber than most grains. One study found 17–27 grams of fiber per cup (185 grams). Most of the fiber is insoluble, but one cup of quinoa still contains 2.5 grams of insoluble fiber.

  • Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Using it instead of typical gluten-free ingredients can increase the antioxidant and nutrient value of your diet when you’re avoiding gluten.

  • Quinoa is high in protein compared to most plant foods. It also contains all the essential amino acids that you need, making it an excellent protein source for vegetarians and vegans.

  • The glycemic index of quinoa is around 53, which is considered low. However, it’s still relatively high in carbs.

Nutrition Details

  • Manganese
    • Amount per serving: 58%
    • Serving size: 1 cup
  • Phosphorus
    • Amount per serving: 28%
    • Serving size: 1 cup
  • Magnesium
    • Amount per serving: 30%
    • Serving size: 1 cup
  • Folate
    • Amount per serving: 19%
    • Serving size: 1 cup
  • Copper
    • Amount per serving: 18%
    • Serving size: 1 cup
  • Zinc
    • Amount per serving: 13%
    • Serving size: 1 cup

NaturalHealth365 Articles About (or that mention) "Quinoa"

Quinoa boosts gut health in SURPRISING ways, study suggests

(NaturalHealth365)  Gut health is key to overall well-being, influencing everything from immunity Quinoa boosts gut health in SURPRISING ways, study suggests


Sources

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We always recommend organic, local foods and all of the information contained in our healing foods database is based on organic varieties of each healing food you find here.

Description Credit: Wikipedia. Wikipedia is used only for general food descriptions and we do not endorse Wikipedia as a source for other health-related information.