5 Health Benefits Of Adding Quinoa To Your Diet

Quinoa may be the start thinks it thinks it is. Packed with tons of useful minerals and nutrients, here are five health benefits of quinoa.

With all the salads and brunch bowls that feature this superfood, one can help but wonder if it’s all just hype or does our dear quinoa put its money where its mouth is.

While quinoa has been one of the poster grains for healthy living, the facts seem to back up the clout that this grain has garnered over the years.

It’s Gluten-Free

If you fall on the spectrum of gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, quinoa is an excellent addition to a gluten-free diet.

Although quinoa is technically gluten-free, Beyond Celiac cautions the risk for contamination because it is often grown, processed, and cooked with gluten-containing grains. So if you're sensitive to gluten, you may want to thoroughly research to find a brand that guarantees that your quinoa products.

Protein-Rich

Quinoa is a plant-protein powerhouse with eight grams of protein per cup. Not only that, but quinoa is considered a complete protein—containing all nine essential amino acids.

Fun fact, the word protein originates from the Greek word proteos, meaning “primary” or “first place. It is vital for the body to function optimally.

It's High In Fiber

Grains are generally an excellent source of fiber, but quinoa, the star grain that it is, gives you a big bang of the good stuff. One cup of quinoa contains five grams of fiber. That's more than double a slice of whole wheat bread.

Fiber is good for the gut and promotes digestion and relieving constipation. Fiber has cardio-protective effects by helping to reduce high blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

It Provides A Quarter Of Your Daily Magnesium Needs

Magnesium is an electrolyte that helps to relax blood vessels. Other health benefits of magnesium include detoxification, energy production, and as heard on many toothpaste ads, it also assists in forming healthy bones and teeth.

One quinoa cup provides one hundred and eighteen milligrams of magnesium or about 25% of the daily recommended intake.

It’s An Excellent Source Of Iron

Iron is a mineral that is required for transporting oxygen in the blood to cells throughout the body. A deficiency in this mineral is also the cause of America’s most prevalent blood disorder.

The daily recommended amount of iron is between eight and eighteen milligrams per day, depending on age and sex. Quinoa is one of the notable plant-based sources, providing around three milligrams of iron per cup.