6 Benefits Of Quinoa: Why This Superfood Deserves A Spot In Your Diet

Do you know? NASA feeds quinoa to its crew members who are on long space missions.¹ Quinoa, an ancient edible seed, has turned into a modern-day superstar, thanks to its rich nutritional profile & incredible health benefits. 

But what makes quinoa a superfood? And is the hype around it real or just another food fad? Let’s dig in and see if this grain is worth the gain!

Research-Backed Health Benefits Of Quinoa

Here is a list of evidence-based health benefits of quinoa seeds:

1. Rich In Nutrients

Quinoa is known as a complete food due to its high nutritional value, i.e., proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals. It contains all 9 essential amino acids and is a rich source of essential fatty acids. It is not only easy to cook but also easy to digest. According to the FAO, it has the highest number of nutrients per 100 calories as compared to other grains.^{1 2}

Below is a table that explains the amount of nutrients present in 100 grams of quinoa seeds:^{1 2}

2. Improves Digestive Health

Quinoa seeds are a rich source of dietary fibre, which is essential for supporting a healthy gut. Adding quinoa to your diet is a great way to boost your fibre intake.

These fibres add bulk to the digested food and help in smooth bowel movement. They also act as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut.³

Quinoa is also naturally free of gluten making it an ideal food choice for those with celiac disease (diarrhoea, indigestion, etc on eating gluten) and gluten intolerance.³

3. Lowers Colon Cancer Risk

The fibre in quinoa helps to reduce the risk of colon cancer by preventing toxins from lingering around in the gut. Additionally, its seed coat is rich in saponins, a plant compound that’s known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Moreover, certain fatty acids in quinoa can also help fight the resistance of cancer cells to drugs.^{3 4 5} 

4. Helps Curb Hunger

Besides being rich in fibre, which is known to suppress hunger and promote fullness, quinoa is also a complete protein. It is one of the few plants that contains all 9 essential amino acids which your body can’t produce on its own. So consuming quinoa can be a great way to lower your weight and gain muscles.³

5. Lowers Diabetes Risk

Quinoa is rich in Magnesium, a mineral that’s essential for keeping type 2 diabetes at bay. It regulates your blood sugar by preventing the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine, thereby keeping blood glucose in check. Research has shown that eating more quinoa can lower diabetes risk in older people who have prediabetes.⁶

6. Lowers Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Quinoa has a high potassium content that makes it a very good candidate for lowering blood pressure. It’s also rich in heart-healthy Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids or PUFAs. These PUFAs lower the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase the good cholesterol (HDL) in your body, preventing the risk of plaque formation in arteries.⁷

How To Cook Quinoa

Quinoa is of three different types: red black and white, each having a unique taste of their own. The white one has a milder taste than the red or black ones which have a strong nutty flavour. So white quinoa is a great choice for someone who’s just starting out with this grain.³

To cook quinoa, you just have to boil it with a double quantity of water for about 20 minutes till all the water is absorbed. This way you can easily get soft, fluffy quinoa, ideal to be added to both sweet and savoury preparations.³

You can eat quinoa like any other grain. You can also add it to your salads, soups or even desserts. No matter how you enjoy it, you will get a powerful punch of nutrition!

Are There More Ways To Use Quinoa?

So far, we explored several benefits of eating quinoa. But did you know that this humble grain is also a hidden skincare gem? The quinoa seed extract is clinically proven to reduce under-eye bags and puffiness after 28 days of consistent use. It also improves the shape and contour of the eye area, smoothening creases and improving folds.⁸

If you wish to avail these wonderful skin benefits of quinoa, you can try our Under Eye Serum. It’s a 99.7% natural formulation of plant-based ingredients like Quinoa Seed Extract, Pentavitin and Coffee, that give 72 hours of hydration and visible improvement in dark circles and under eye puffiness within a month. Moreover, the serum is EWG Verified as toxin-free, Ecocert Certified as natural and cellularly proven safe and effective.

Summing Up

Quinoa is a nutrient-dense superfood that can improve your health in many ways. Regular consumption of quinoa can improve your digestion, promote weight loss, support a healthy heart, regulate blood sugar levels and even cut down your risk of certain cancers. 

Besides, the quinoa seed extracts can be a wonderful addition to your skincare routine. Using skincare products containing these extracts can significantly improve the appearance of your under-eye area.