The benefits and harms of buckwheat for human health

Buckwheat, or buckwheat is the fruit of buckwheat plants. Buckwheat belongs to the family of Buckwheat, its homeland is Tibet, Nepal, the northern regions of India.

Now buckwheat is an integral part of our national cuisine, Moreover, all over the world it is associated with Russian culinary traditions. This, perhaps, is explained by the fact that in our country “buckwheat” has been known for a long time - from the VI-VII centuries and it deservedly takes the honorable place of irreplaceable valuable dishes on our table.

Types of buckwheat

By type, buckwheat is subdivided into ground rump, split, Smolensk, green.

• Unground buckwheat - whole large grain. This is the most valuable type of buckwheat.
• Breaking - grain with cleavage, is large and small.
• Smolensk groats - this is crushed jagged.
• Green - raw unprocessed (not dried) buckwheat.

Caloric content, composition and nutritional value of buckwheat

Buckwheat has calories - 307 kcal, which is not so little. But it all depends on which way to cook buckwheat, if it is porridge with meat, butter, then the calorie content of the dish rises, and if you cook buckwheat only in water, it goes down.

Interested in how many calories in buckwheat, nutritionists say that a little. Buckwheat, boiled on water, properly cooked, really, low-calorie - 100 g of porridge contains 105 kcal. If there are no contraindications, then buckwheat must be included in the diet. It is also required for the children's table starting from 6 months as a complementary food. It is also part of the special dry milk formula, used from 3 months.

The approximate composition of buckwheat groats: protein (protein) - 12.8%, lipids (fats) - 3.2%, carbohydrates - 57%, dietary fiber - 11.4%, water - 14%, mono-, disaccharides - 2, 1%, 1.3% fiber in 100 g. Buckwheat contains vitamins of group B - B1, B2, B6, B8, B9, vitamins P, E, A, PP, maleic, oxalic, citric, malic acid, starch, fiber .As well as micro and macro elements - iron, iodine, copper, zinc, molybdenum, manganese, silicon, cobalt, chromium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium. Wherein buckwheat is the leader, or else they say - "tsarina", among the croup, not only in a wide range of minerals, but also in their quantity.

What is good for buckwheat organism

Cooked in different ways, buckwheat has different properties, respectively, and the benefits of it are also different. Boiled, steamed, baked in an oven in a pot or on slow fire is very useful. Boiled buckwheat without salt, spice, fat is good for the stomach, it unloads and normalizes its work, improves the condition of the mucous membrane and intestinal motility. Due to the high content of magnesium in buckwheat, potassium is good for the heart and the vascular system. Regular consumption of buckwheat cereals, soups well affects the condition of nails, hair, teeth, bones.

Perhaps not everyone knows about the benefits of buckwheat for people who do not tolerate gluten (gluten), which is contained in cereals. Buckwheat does not contain gluten, therefore, it is a substitute for wheat, oats, rye, barley, and all products based on them or with their addition.

Buckwheat is also useful for people with diabetes - its low glycemic index gives a slowly increasing blood sugar level, which is important in this disease. In other words, consumption of buckwheat by diabetics does not cause a sharp jump (increase) in sugar for them.

Buckwheat for weight loss is indispensable without it, drawing up dietary menus is not costly - it combines high saturability (I do not want to eat for a long time) with a low calorie content, which contributes to weight loss.

Buckwheat is useful for anemia, varicose veins, rheumatism, certain diseases of the thyroid gland, liver, furunculosis and other skin diseases. Buckwheat is useful not only for existing diseases, but also as a preventive and improving some functions means, in particular, for men's health. What is useful buckwheat for men? Its use increases stamina and potency, aided by zinc and amino acids such as arginine, methionine, threonine.

The benefits of buckwheat for the body of pregnant women

The benefits of buckwheat for future mothers - in a high amount of vitamin B9 (folic acid) in it, which ensures normal fetal development and the course of pregnancy in general. In addition, the content of essential amino acids, minerals (especially iron to increase hemoglobin levels in pregnant women) and other vitamins makes buckwheat a valuable, nutritious food and has a positive effect on the health of the woman, especially during this period. Also, buckwheat helps pregnant women to control their weight and not get better, which is also important during pregnancy.

Buckwheat also has a positive effect on milk production and quality. In addition, it helps to maintain an even emotional state - that is, to fight with frequent mood swings inherent in pregnant women.

Proper storage of buckwheat

The shelf life of buckwheat, if you do it right, - 18-20 months. Buckwheat should be stored in dry rooms at room temperature and in a closed glass, metal container, plastic bags with a latch or in its unopened package. This will save buckwheat from mold and pest bugs.

Buckwheat in traditional medicine

In folk recipes for treatment, different parts of buckwheat are used - flowers, seeds, stems, foliage. Buckwheat flour used before as baby powder. From the same flour, medical masks and tortillas were made in the treatment of boils - they were diluted with boiled water or chamomile extract, celandine, applied to the site of inflammation. Use flour and to increase the blood level of hemoglobin in the treatment of anemia - take 2 tbsp. l / 4 times with ½ cup of water or milk.When pancreatitis flour is mixed with kefir - 1 tbsp. l / glass and drink at night.

Flour is also used to treat thyroid gland - in equal quantities, buckwheat flour, buckwheat honey, and chopped walnuts are mixed until smooth. The mixture is placed in a plastic container, a glass jar and placed in a refrigerator, and then 1 day a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner - they eat only it, while it is better to drink only clean water.

Buckwheat leaves are used in the treatment of wounds - simply applied to the surface and fixed. The juice of the leaves has an antiseptic and healing effect. Buckwheat juice is used in the treatment of conjunctivitis - a swab moistened in it wipe the eyes.

A decoction of buckwheat stems, leaves and flowers consumed inside with a cold, as antitussive and expectorant. And at a cold, buckwheat heated in a pan is poured into a linen bag, which is applied to the sinuses, thus warming them up and relieving inflammation.

Contraindications

Buckwheat, despite its many properties that benefit the human body, can still cause harm to some people.The harm from buckwheat can only be with its excessive use, and then not for everyone. The main thing - do not overeat and not "get involved" with the useful properties of buckwheat. Buckwheat is certainly useful, but as you know, everything is good in moderation.

And if buckwheat is contraindicated to anyone, then people with increased blood clotting, as well as suffering from a stomach ulcer. In the latter case, the consumption of buckwheat should be, if not stopped, then reduce to 1-2 times a week. Basically, it's all about buckwheat, which can come in handy for drawing up a homemade daily menu or diet plan. Eat on health - bon appetit!