Why buckwheat is useful for humans

August 1, 2021
Nutrition
Sown buckwheat belongs to the genus of perennial herbaceous plants cultivated in India and Nepal more than 5000 years ago. It was originally grown exclusively in Asia, but over time it has spread to all continents.

Caloric content and nutritional value

According to research, the beneficial properties of buckwheat for the body are due to its unique chemical composition, which contains more than 50 valuable substances. In terms of the amount of protein, it is equal to meat, but it stands out favorably against its background due to its low fat content. The nutritional value of cereals is distributed in the following proportions:

– Carbohydrates – 58%
– Proteins – 12.8%
– Fats – 3.3%
– Fiber – 11.3%
– Water – 14%

The calorie content of raw buckwheat kernels is 310 Kcal per 100 g. For cooked buckwheat porridge, this indicator is even less – only 132 Kcal, so it can be added to the diet of athletes, preventive and therapeutic diet. An increased volume of carbohydrates and a long period of their assimilation leave a feeling of satiety for a long time, which makes buckwheat porridge especially relevant for losing weight.

Finding out how buckwheat is useful for the body, it should be noted that it includes phenolic compounds that contribute to the long-term preservation of cereals. Unlike other cereals, it does not sour for a long time, does not acquire a bitter taste and does not become moldy when the air is too humid.
Keeping its useful components, buckwheat significantly improves health and brings invaluable benefits to our body:
It surpasses all other popular cereals in the amount of iron . The content of this trace element in it exceeds 37% per 100 g of the product , which ensures the full functioning of the circulatory system and normalizes hemoglobin.
When using buckwheat porridge, the human body receives more than 15% of the daily requirement of potassium , which strengthens the vascular walls, has a beneficial effect on bone tissue and maintains water-salt balance.
Flavonoids in the composition of grains can largely explain why buckwheat is useful for health, because their main purpose is to reduce the permeability of blood vessels and contribute to their strengthening. Due to the high content of quracetin and rutin, buckwheat porridge is recommended to be consumed during pregnancy, after operations and for the prevention of oncology.
The increased level of fiber in the nucleus makes it an indispensable component of the diet for people with diabetes. Dietary fiber reduces sugar levels, and they do this quickly enough – on average, 1-2 hours after eating. In addition, fiber improves digestion and stimulates intestinal motility.
Antioxidant components such as phenolic acid, tocopherol and selenium scavenge free radicals from the body, lower cholesterol levels, and maintain the normal functioning of the immune system.