Ancient Grains, Ancient Seeds

What’s old is new again. It seems that some of the oldest foods known are actually the newest food trends. Ancient grains and seeds – quinoa, amaranth, flax, and chia – are currently being touted as “superfoods” for their impressive nutrient profile and powerful health benefits. Many people are quickly getting on the superfood bandwagon as they are looking for natural products to prevent and treat diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, as well as promote wellness and increase longevity. Unfortunately, most don’t know why these foods are so powerful or how to incorporate them into their diets. The good news is this –ancient grains and seeds are tasty, versatile, and very easy to add to any recipe. QUINOA Native to the Andes Mountains, this staple food of the Incan people for more than 5,000 years is technically a fruit and a relative of spinach and Swiss chard, though considered a grain by current marketing standards. Quinoa means “mother grain” in the Incan language, as eating it tended to give long life. https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/forums/range/read.php?9,26780

 NUTRITIONAL VALUE Quinoa stands out from other grains, like brown rice, barley, wheat, and rye, as its nutritional value is far superior. It is considered a complete protein as it contains all of the essential amino acids, making it an excellent source of protein for vegans and vegetarians. It is also high in lysine, an amino acid that is often lacking in grains, which is important for tissue growth and repair. It is also lower in sodium and higher in calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc than wheat, barley or corn. Quinoa is gluten-free, making it a great option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Additionally, quinoa has low scores for both the glycemic index (35) and glycemic load (18), meaning it helps to prevent rapid increases in blood sugar levels. HEALTH BENEFITS Consumption of quinoa has been associated with numerous health improvements. Migraines… Its high magnesium and riboflavin (vitamin B2) content helps to reduce the frequency of headache episodes in migraine sufferers. The magnesium helps to relax the blood vessels and the B2 improves energy metabolism within brain and muscle cells. Cardiovascular disease… http://www.fitnesstrader.ca/forum/topic/the-observation-and-treatment

 Quinoa has also been linked to improvements in cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart attack. Studies have shown that eating at least 6 servings of whole grains a week reduced atherosclerosis and stenosis in post-menopausal women. These findings are likely due to its fiber, magnesium, and antioxidant content. Antioxidants… Quinoa is rich in manganese and copper, two cofactors for superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme, an antioxidant that helps protect mitochondria from oxidative damage created during energy production. Breast Cancer… The UK Women’s Cohort study of approximately 35,000 women found that diets rich in fiber from whole grains, including quinoa, and fruit offered significant protection against breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Another study showed that premenopausal women eating >30 grams of fiber had half the risk of developing breast cancer compared to women.  https://secure.web.emory.edu/forums/read.php?9,2089,2089#msg-2089