Contrary to its name, this fruit seed is not in any way related to wheat. Buckwheat is a gluten free power food! It is becoming very popular for many good reasons. It is a highly nourishing, energizing and tasty food that can be eaten instead of rice or the usual porridge.
Health Benefits
Best source of high-quality, easily digestible proteins:
This makes it an excellent meat substitute. High protein buckwheat flour is being studied for possible use in foods to reduce plasma cholesterol, body fat, and cholesterol gallstones.
Fat alternative:
Buckwheat starch can also act as a fat alternative in processed foods.
Fights high blood pressure:
The high level of rutin is extracted from the leaves for medicine to treat high blood pressure.
Non allergenic:
Buckwheat hulls are used as pillow stuffing for those allergic to feathers, dust, and pollen.
May help diabetes:
New evidence has found that buckwheat may be helpful in the management of diabetes according to Canadian researchers in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. With a glycemic index of 54, it lowers blood sugars more slowly than rice or wheat products.
Great for the digestion:
“The properties of buckwheat are: Neutral thermal nature; sweet flavor; cleans and strengthens the intestines and improves appetite. Is effective for treating dysentery and chronic diarrhea.” According to Paul Pitchford in Healing with Whole Foods (1993).
Chemical free:
Buckwheat grows so quickly that it does not usually require a lot of pesticides or other chemicals to grow well.
Retained Water:
Buckwheat is good at drawing out retained water and excess fluid from swollen areas of the body.
Buckwheat is a warming food:
It is classified by macrobiotics as a yang food. It is great for eating in the cold winter months.
Gluten Free:
Buckwheat contains no gluten and is not a grain. It is therefore great for celiacs and those on grain free and gluten sensitive diets.