For a bit of background, Buckwheat is a plant that is cultivated for its grain-like seeds and as a cover crop. You might not know this, but it is also known as common buckwheat, and even Japanese buckwheat or silver hull buckwheat.
It is possible that you might have seen this plant in a number of diets. This is because Buckwheat has a number of dietary and health-related benefits. Nature is full of such products, and it will do you good if you add them to your diet too.
Health Benefits of Buckwheat
- Buckwheat is a great source of high quality, easily digestible proteins. This makes it an excellent meat substitute, perfect for vegetarians or vegans and also suitable for those with a weak digestive system. Buckwheat’s properties; neutral thermal nature, sweet flavor and ability to clean and strengthen the intestines and improve appetite result in it being effective for treating dysentery and chronic diarrhea. All of this sounds awesome, right?
- Buckwheat is also widely used as a fat alternative, particularly so in processed foods. On the subject of tackling bad fats, buckwheat’s unique amino acid composition gives it cholesterol lowering effects. Thus, buckwheat flour is used to reduce plasma cholesterol, body fat, and cholesterol gallstones.
- Since Buckwheat grows fairly quickly, as early as two weeks after plantation, it does not need the use of fertilizers to grow and hence is possible to grow it completely chemical free. Thus, buckwheat hulls are used as pillow stuffing for those with allergies, particularly to feathers, dust, and pollen. Additionally, since it is not a grain, it does not contain gluten and is ideal for people suffering from gluten allergies. This also makes it perfect for treating celiac.
- Buckwheat may also be helpful in the management of diabetes. Possessing a glycemic index of 54, it lowers blood sugars more slowly than rice or wheat products.
- Buckwheat is packed with antioxidants and consequently, contains high levels of rutin. Rutin is a plant pigment which strengthens blood vessels. This means that extracts from buckwheat leaves can be used to make medicine to regulate blood pressure levels. It also makes it readily usable to treat varicose veins, internal bleeding, hemorrhoids and also to help prevent strokes due any abnormal veins or arteries.
- Lastly, buckwheat is good at drawing out retained water and excess, unnecessary fluids from swollen or infected areas of the body. This is done by applying a buckwheat plaster to the targeted area. Such a plaster can easily be made at home. The buckwheat plaster starts to work after only a few applications.
These are only a few of buckwheat's many and varied health benefits.
So, if you want you should try and add buckwheat into your diet. Not only it is healthy, but it is also tasty and very easy to prepare. There's definitely a lot you can do with buckwheat if you wish to eat it.
Here are few meals you can prepare. They don't take long and are very healthy. As mentioned, they are best for vegans who want all those important proteins in their life.
- Try making fresh noodles and add buckwheat in it.
- Lemon buckwheat waffles are also delicious and healthy for breakfast.
- Are you a fan of cookies but want to make them healthier? Add buckwheat to your chocolate chip cookie recipe and consume some healthy calories.
- Making a nice salad is one of the best things you can do. Add freshly cut cabbage, some carrots, and a bit of corn in a bowl. Include some vinegar and lemon for taste, and then proceed to introduce some buckwheat into your bowl of salad. Enjoy!
Go ahead and add some buckwheat goodness to your life.
