Benefits of Quinoa to Diabetics

Diabetes has been on a rapid rise in the past decade. A major reason for this increase is the lifestyle people follow these days. Lack of nutrition due to an unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of exercise, and stress are some of the biggest accelerators of this chronic disease.

One of the keys to living a healthy life is managing and controlling your diet. Moreover the type of food you consume plays an important role in keeping your blood sugar in check. A diabetic person requires 30 percent protein and 40 percent carbohydrates in their diet to manage their blood sugar effectively. Following a moderately high protein diet results in less carbohydrate intake, weight loss, and improvement in liver health. The fat content of the liver and Hba1c levels also improves.

Quinoa can facilitate management of sugar levels for the following reasons, though it is important to have the quantity confirmed by a nutritionist. The experts at India Gate state the benefits of quinoa:

• Quinoa has a splendid 15 percent of proteins with the composition of all the ESSENTIAL amino acids –EAA (EAA are substances which cannot be synthesized by the body, hence these amino acids are required to be fulfilled through food sources).
• Quinoa has a wholesome dose of complex carbohydrate and yet has a low GI, (Glycemic index), consequently it doesn’t spike the blood sugars, as compared to other cereals.
• Quinoa can be cooked identically as cereals.
• Quinoa is good for heart health owing to the high fiber content and the polyunsaturated fatty acids that it imparts. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from damage, and potassium helps offset sodium’s negative effects on blood pressure,both these are found in Quinoa in great quantities.
• Further Quinoa is abundant in folate, B vitamins, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and even a small amount of calcium.