Traditionally, buckwheat is now mostly grown in Russia and Poland, where it is used as a supplement to a normal nutrition.
The name ‘buckwheat’ or ‘beech wheat’ comes from its triangular seeds, which resemble the much larger seeds of the beech nut from the beech tree, and the fact that it is used like wheat.
Buckwheat is known for its healing properties, different from most other plants, despite the fact that no other grains is rich in potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron, and also absence of gluten.
Buckwheat is most often used in whole grain or in ground form as a black and white buckwheat flour, although it is believed that black buckwheat flour has a higher nutritional value. In addition, buckwheat flowers are highly attractive to bees, so that gets thick and dark buckwheat honey with a strong and specific taste.
Health Benefits:
- Because buckwheat not contains gluten, it is regarded as a suitable food for people with celiac disease. Can be used in the form of flour as a substitute for wheat and other types of flour which containing gluten.
- Buckwheat has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, as it maintains normal blood vessel elasticity, provides normal blood flow and prevents clotting of blood in circulation.
- Also it affects the regulation of cholesterol in the blood by reducing the level of harmful, and increases the level of positive cholesterol.
- Maintains blood sugar levels, thus preventing the occurrence of diabetes. It is also suitable for feeding people who suffer from diabetes type 2.
- Buckwheat also contains a lot of iron in it, so it is very good in the fight against anemia.
- Has a positive effect on weight loss because fiber provides a longer feeling of satiety.
- Buckwheat is one of the main anti-cancer nutrients. Due to the high content of fiber and nutritional content, studies show that it reduces the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent in women.
- In addition, it is good for the preservation of intestinal flora that prevents colon cancer.
Buckwheat Nutrition Facts
One cup of cooked buckwheat groats contains the following:
- 155 calories
- 6 grams of protein
- 1 gram of fat
- 33 grams of carbohydrates
- 5 grams fiber
- Only 1.5 grams of sugar
- 86 milligrams manganese (34%)
- 86 milligrams magnesium (21%)
- 118 milligrams phosphorus (12%)
- 6 milligrams niacin (8%)
- 1 milligrams zinc (7%)
- 34 milligrams iron (7%)
- 0.13 milligrams vitamin B6 (6%)
- 24 milligrams folate (6%)
- 0.6 milligrams pantothenic acid (6%)
The only drawback is that buckwheat belongs to the group of potential allergens, but this phenomenon is very rare.