Buckwheat is a gluten-free pseudocereal that has been around for centuries and has now suddenly become fashionable. This is due to its multiple health benefits, but there are also contraindications. Throughout this text we are going to get to know this fake short-cycle cereal more closely.
It is quite likely that we have seen all kinds of products made with buckwheat, from breads to pastries and cookies. When something becomes popular, and more so in social settings like today, companies tend to exploit those products.
This is why it is more than likely that we have seen, read and even bought and tried something made with buckwheat. A priori we can think that it is one more cereal like wheat, barley, oats, rye, etc. but not.
Although buckwheat carries the word wheat implicitly, it is not considered a common cereal and this, and much more, we are going to learn in this text. When we finish the text we will fully understand what this pseudocereal is, where it comes from, what it contributes to the body, what benefits eating it has and its most important contraindications.
What is buckwheat
This food is also known as buckwheat and despite how contradictory it may seem, it is not considered a cereal. Buckwheat or black wheat is a pseudocereal like quinoa and amaranth, for example.
Of course, it has characteristics very similar to cereals such as wheat, spelled, oats, etc. This dark brown pseudocereal originates from Central Asia and the plains of Siberia. Being so easy to grow and having such a short cycle, it was easy to take it to other areas of the world such as Europe and America. It adapts well to acidic soils with low fertility.
The flower that gives rise to this cereal is used in pharmacology to treat fragile capillaries and their permeability. An important function that joins others such as curing neck and shoulder tension by filling a cushion or pillow with these seeds.
Buckwheat is sold as whole grains, just like conventional wheat, except that buckwheat is pyramidal in shape, and in flours. In both states it is a gluten-free food , so the contraindications do not go there.
It is rare to see it, but this plant can be consumed in tender shoots, although its tradition is more pulling towards natural medicine to promote blood circulation.
Nutritional properties
This is where the important thing comes in and it is that this pseudocereal is highly nutritious and it is to what it owes much of its fame, apart from the peculiar flavor that its flour gives to breads and pastries.
100 grams of buckwheat provide 70 grams of carbohydrates, so it is not suitable for the keto diet; It provides 10 grams of protein, hence it is one of the favorite breads of athletes; Among the polyunsaturated fatty acids in this pseudocereal, Omega 6 stands out and has 4 grams of fiber for every 100 grams of product.
Regarding the vitamins and minerals that this buckwheat provides, we have a wide variety of important nutrients such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, E and J, and then there is potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, copper and fluorine.
Profits
Now let’s understand why buckwheat has become so popular in recent months and is that it is full of benefits for our health. We are going to review the most important benefits of eating buckwheat every day.
Remember that not just any type of product is worth it, but we have to look at the quantity. It is best to choose one that is 100%, but it is very difficult to find it, so we will have to make sure that it has a minimum of 35% and has quality ingredients without colorants or additives.
Reduce the cholesterol
This food we are talking about today helps reduce blood cholesterol, in the same way that it helps counteract cardiovascular diseases. It also improves permeability and reduces the fragility of blood capillaries.
By taking a certain amount of buckwheat daily, in a healthy way, we can also reduce hypertension and this is thanks to the contribution of routine, an antioxidant that prevents the formation of clots and, therefore, helps reduce high blood pressure.
Lowers blood sugar
In the same way that taking between 120 and 180 grams of buckwheat a day helps us reduce cholesterol and all the problems that are associated with it, we also reduce blood sugar due to its low glycemic index. It is a food suitable for celiacs or diabetics.
It can also be used as a preventive of obesity and is that the hydrates, fat in this product and the amount of fiber provided by 100 grams, help reduce sugar levels after eating , so the chances of being overweight. In addition, it is a food rich in amino acids that help you lose weight.
Effective against cellulite
Cellulite is not like stretch marks, which once they appear they never go away, but by putting the body in motion and reducing empty fats, we can reduce cellulite in a matter of a few weeks.
By taking this type of bread or using 100% buckwheat flour we are taking a certain amount of potassium and this helps to reduce inflammation of the body’s cells, regulates fluids, cleanses the body of toxins and counteracts the appearance of cellulite and edema.
Reduce stress and anxiety
There are many foods that help us reduce our daily stress and lower anxiety levels. In the case of this pseudocereal, it is thanks to the content of B vitamins that are very necessary for our nervous system and for the brain.
The B vitamins also help maintain the good health of our hair, nails and skin throughout the body. They are so necessary that they can even counteract insomnia and reduce or eliminate headaches.
Contraindications
We have already said before that taking buckwheat has a series of contraindications and this is because we cannot take it despite how healthy it is and the benefits it brings to our body.
For example, celiacs should be very careful, since the vast majority of times are not 100% buckwheat breads, but are mixtures of cereals. Another group of people who should be careful are those who take medication to avoid blood clots, since this pseudocereal has vitamin K and the wheat itself also has anti-hemorrhagic properties.
Excess consumption can cause skin irritation when exposed to the sun . This affects adults and children, so we have to be very careful and not exceed 180 grams. Also, those who are allergic to latex and rice or other similar grains may experience cross-allergic reactions from taking buckwheat.
