Three Reasons to Eat Buckwheat

Thursday, March 05, 2009 by: Matt Monarch
Tags: buckwheat, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Buckwheat`s name is deceiving. It is not a wheat, but a seed (ref: http://www.therawfoodworld.com/product_info....), and has abundant qualities which make it an excellent food to add to one`s diet. It is easy to cook and normally available cheaply in health food stores. Even better is the fact that it is twice as easy to sprout as it is to cook, and with an even more appealing texture. Here are three reasons to include buckwheat in your diet.

Numerous health benefits are buckwheat`s prime claim to fame. Firstly, it does not contain gluten, so it makes an excellent substitute for other grains in the diet. Studies have indicated that consuming buckwheat may combat high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Also, buckwheat does not lead to peaks in blood sugar levels. One six year study done in Iowa showed that women who consume an average of three servings of buckwheat per day have a 26% lower risk of diabetes than women who don`t. (Ref: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foo...). Buckwheat contains the eight essential amino acids, as well as high proportions of manganese, magnesium and fiber. Finally, it also contains two flavanoids. Firstly, there`s quercitin, thought to support healing in the body. Secondly, there`s rutin which is an antioxidant, and therefore may inhibit cancer. Rutin also strengthens the capillaries and circulation, thereby reducing painful varicose veins.

Buckwheat is very easy to sprout. Ensure that you purchase the seeds untoasted, and simply soak them in abundant water for approximately thirty minutes. Toasted buckwheat will have a golden brown color, whereas raw buckwheat will be white or light green. Then rinse and drain them well. You`ll notice a slightly slimy film over the seeds after soaking, which is why it`s a good idea to rinse and drain them well. Then put them in a wide Tupperware box, without the lid, or in a sprouter, and leave them somewhere where the air can get at them. In two days the slimy film will have disappeared and you`ll be left with slightly crunchy little buckwheat sprouts.

Buckwheat is very versatile. As mentioned, you can eat it cooked and include it in salads. In it`s sprouted form it is even more versatile. The taste is not very strong, so you can happily include them in either sweet or savory dishes. Try adding them to a smoothie for extra texture and energy. Alternatively, blend the seeds with one apple or pear, put the mixture in a bowl with sprouted nut milk, and you have yourself a raw, enzyme-rich porridge. A quick and filling savory snack includes buckwheat, half an avocado, a dash of olive oil, and salt, which is surprisingly satisfying, and easy to prepare.

References:

http://www.therawfoodworld.com/index.php?cPa...
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foo...
http://www.ehow.com/how_4452988_sprout-buckw...

About the author

Matt Monarch has been on a 100% Raw Vegan Diet since 1999; he eats only raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and seaweeds. He is currently the owner of three different health-promoting websites.
In partnership with Raw Food Pioneer and Nutritionist Dr. Fred Bisci, Matt has co-created www.TheRawFoodWorld.com, which sells support tools to help people live free of degenerative disease. Matt's other websites are www.RawSpirit.org and www.LivingNutritionals.com.
After eight years eating a 100% Raw Food Diet, Matt has written two books on the subject – Raw Spirit, and Raw Success. In recent years he has spent much of his time touring the United States, presenting well over 200 Raw Food Lectures. He is widely sought out as a speaker and gives talks worldwide on how to live a healthier lifestyle.
Matt has appeared as a key speaker at events including The Raw Spirit Festival and many other festivals and expos. He was featured in a Raw Food TV Spot that aired over 15 times on Al Gore's TV Network, Current TV. This TV spot can be viewed at www.RawSpirit.org. As 6-year owner of The Raw Food World and Living Nutritionals, he is well versed in people's needs and concerns about health.