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Buckwheat Benefits
Prevents Heart Diseases
One of the most important qualities of buckwheat is its high levels of phytonutrients, particularly flavonoids. These important compounds act as antioxidants within the body, which seek out and eliminate dangerous free radicals, the chemical byproduct of cell metabolism that is known to cause heart disease. Rutin is one of the most important flavonoids found in this seed. A Harvard School of Public Health report said that flavonoids lower the amount of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood, and keep platelets from clotting, which can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. Rutin also increases the level of HDL (good) cholesterol, which further reduces the chances of cardiovascular disease.
Aids in Weight Loss
Buckwheat has lesser calories compared to wheat or barley, is free of saturated fat and cholesterol, and high in fiber and protein. The Berkeley Wellness Letter lists buckwheat as one of the gluten-free options for people who cannot digest wheat. This is a powerful combination that helps in suppressing appetite, regulating blood sugar, improving digestive health, and building lean muscle.
Rich Source of Protein
Buckwheat is one of those valuable plant-based foods that contain high-quality proteins, meaning that it has all eight essential amino acids, including lysine. High-quality proteins are vital to many functions in the body, so food containing complete proteins not only replaces the need to eat red meat (priceless for vegetarians and vegans) but also gets the benefits from those proteins faster. Some of the benefits that complete proteins have are their ability to help you lose weight by helping you feel full faster. They provide extra energy boosts and studies have shown that they increase cognitive ability. Finally, they help slow down the natural decrease in muscle strength and mass, called sarcopenia.
Studies have shown complete proteins help people dramatically slow down the loss of bone and muscle mass, lending greater strength, durability, and endurance during physical activity.
Improves Digestion
Buckwheat has a high level of fiber, which adds bulk to your bowel movements, helping to move them through the digestive tract, and stimulating peristaltic motion, the muscle contraction of your intestines. It can also help reduce irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diarrhea.
Diabetes Management
People with diabetes who are unfamiliar with buckwheat now have another tool in the complex and constant management of the disease. It is a rich source of D-chiro inositol, a compound that reduces blood sugar. The high amount of fiber in buckwheat also helps in diabetes management. A report published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that dietary fiber significantly lowers the amount of blood sugar. It does so very quickly as well, sometimes in as little as 1-2 hours.
Boosts Immune System
Buckwheat has a long list of attributes, and its impact on the immune system is one of the most important! Buckwheat has antioxidant components such as tocopherols, phenolic acid, selenium, and flavonoids, which are excellent at finding and eliminating free radicals. They boost the activity of other antioxidants like vitamin C and protect the organ systems.
Reduces Risk of Gallstones
Buckwheat is rich in insoluble fiber, which also means that it greatly decreases the chances of developing gallstones. Insoluble fiber not only increases the transit time of food through the digestive tract but also reduces the need for the excess secretion of bile acids.
Prevents Asthma Attacks
The magnesium and vitamin E levels in buckwheat are both strong enough to say that buckwheat protects children from developing asthma. Studies done in the Netherlands show that children who don’t receive high levels of grains or grain-like foods are much more likely to develop asthma because they are deficient in certain anti-inflammatory nutrients, like vitamin E and magnesium.
Improves Bone Health
Buckwheat is rich in selenium and zinc, both of which are essential trace minerals that the body needs for strong bones, teeth, and nails.
Prevents Anemia
Buckwheat is very high in iron content, and this is one of the key components in the formation of red blood cells. A deficiency in iron can lead to anemia, which is a complicated condition characterized by fatigue, cognitive slowness, headaches, and even other, more serious side effects.
Boosts Mood
Buckwheat has all of the essential amino acids, including tryptophan, which acts as a precursor to the feel-good hormone serotonin. So, including tryptophan in your diet is very important to boost mood and mental clarity.
Skin Health
The high rutin content in buckwheat acts as a natural sunscreen and protects the skin from the damaging effects of the sun. The rich blend of antioxidants and flavonoids also help in preventing signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. Magnesium found in buckwheat boosts blood circulation and gives the skin a radiant glow.
Hair Health
The whole-grain complex carbohydrate content in buckwheat is helpful for hair growth. Rich in vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, and zinc, it is an amazing food for hair.
Source: https://www.organicfacts.net/buckwheat.html
