Experts revealed quinoa is one of the only plants which contains a complete protein that provides all the essential amino acids we need for good health.
"Nutritionally, few things supercede this superseed. For 222 calories, 1 cup of cooked quinoa packs 5 grams of fiber and 15% of a person's daily FDA-recommended iron," Time shared. "You want protein, too? Quinoa's got it: 8 grams per cup."
Dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick, manager of Wellness Nutrition Services at Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute, elucidated that our bodies don't make all of these amino acids on their own, so we rely on our diets to supply them. Only animal products like meat and eggs are typically able to provide all at once.
Thomas Simnadis, PhD candidate at the University of Wollongong in Australia, said that quinoa should be eaten as a whole food rather than part of a processed food like a snack bar to prevent the loss of valuable nutrients. He, who is the author of a 2015 scientific review on the health benefits quinoa, said that he is excited to find interesting findings on his research which is mostly in animals or using in-vitro models.
As a matter of fact, he conducted a research in rat wherein quinoa proteins were credited with lowering levels of oxidative stress and decreasing cholesterol levels. "This suggests that compounds present within the quinoa seed can regenerate antioxidants, which are capable of nullifying free radicals and thus protecting tissues from oxidative damage," Thomas said.
Moreover, researcher of quinoa and assistant professor in the division of food and nutrition science at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden Alastair Ross said that quinoa is a good choice for everyone especially for "Celiacs." It is richer in healthy compounds like folate than common gluten-free grains such as corn and rice.
"Quinoa has a unique role to play the future of agriculture, especially in light of a changing climate, as it is naturally adapted to drought, salt affected soils, and frequent frost," Jeff Maughan, professor in the department of plant and wildlife sciences at Brigham Young University and a quinoa genetics researcher, said.
It can broaden the horizons your plate, too. Kristin said that quinoa can stand in for rice at dinner, for oatmeal at breakfast and even for pudding at dessert. "From salads to sides, all parts of your plate can benefit from a high-quality quinoa protein boost."
