Quinoa is a seed from the Chenopodium quinoa plant. Over the years quinoa has become a healthy addition to many salads, and some even swap their oat porridge for quinoa porridge. Quinoa has a very impressive nutritional profile  and is actually a complete source of protein (meaning it contains all 20 amino acids.) Have a read below to learn about the top benefits of this tiny little seed.
 
  • Full of antioxidants - Quinoa has a large amount of antioxidants which have shown to beneficial in preventing heart disease, cancers, diabetes and inflammation.
  • Great for bone health - Quinoa contains manganese, magnesium and phosphorus which are all important nutrients when it comes to bone building and health.
  • Good for your gut - Quinoa contains prebiotics which is a type of fibre that feeds the probiotics (good bacteria in our gut) Quinoa helps the good bacteria in our gut produce butyrate which is a short-chain fatty acid that is beneficial to our health.
  • Gluten free - if you are gluten intolerant, quinoa is an excellent option for you as it has all the good nutrients you might be missing from cutting out other grains. Even if you suffer from celiac disease, quinoa is a great option.
  • Good for your heart health - Quinoa is a good source of potassium and magnesium which both play important rolls in your everyday heart health. The potassium can help reduce blood pressure and the magnesium can help lower the risk of a stroke.
  • Good source of fiber - quinoa is a good source of fiber which is very important for our digestive health. It can help prevent constipation and keep you regular.
 
There are many ways to include quinoa in your diet, it can be added to salads, soups, stews or served as a side instead of rice.