Quinoa is a pseudocereal that, like amaranth or barley, is coming back into fashion for its nutritional values and wide range of health benefits. The Incas called it "the mother of all grains" and it was cultivated for the first time more than 5,000 years ago. Although there are multiple types of quinoa, the most common variants that we can find in stores are white, red and black quinoa . But, what benefits does this grain bring us?
Whole grains like quinoa provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which help regulate the digestive system and also keep you full and satisfied. It is a gluten-free food and contains iron, B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E, and fiber. It is one of the few plant-based foods that is considered a complete protein.
With all these properties, eating quinoa regularly (48 grams a day is recommended) reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer and obesity.
As a curiosity, quinoa was proposed by NASA as an ideal food for long-duration space flights.
