Buckwheat, or buckwheat groats - is the fruit of buckwheat plants. Buckwheat belongs to the family of Buckwheat, its homeland is Tibet, Nepal, the northern regions of India.
Did you know? The name "buckwheat" in Russia is derived from the word "Greek" - the plant was brought to us from Greece, then the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium.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 croup rump, split, Smolensk, green.
- Unground buckwheat - whole large grain. This is the most valuable type of buckwheat.
- Breaking - grain with cleavage, it can be large and small.
- Smolensk groats - this is crushed jagged.
- Green - Raw unprocessed (not dried) buckwheat.
Did you know? Green buckwheat is more suitable for the diet.
Calorie, composition and nutritional value of buckwheat
Buckwheat has calories - 307 kcal, which is not so little. But it all depends on how 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% of 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 - "the queen", among the croup, not only in a wide range of minerals that are part of it, but also in their quantity.
Important! The nutritional value of buckwheat is the optimal balance and high digestibility of the body of all its components - especially proteins, minerals and vitamins.
What is good for buckwheat organism
Buckwheat cooked in different ways has different properties, respectively, and its benefits are also different. Boiled, steamed, protomlennaya in the oven in a pot or on slow fire - very useful. Boiled buckwheat without salt, spices, 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 useful for the heart and 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.
Did you know? Buckwheat is a wonderful honey plant. Buckwheat honey is one of the most valuable, it has a characteristic dark color and a specific taste with a slight bitterness.
Buckwheat is also useful for people with diabetes - its low glycemic index gives a slowly increasing blood sugar level, which is important for 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 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 of the tool, 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.
Did you know? With all its value, buckwheat is absolutely not whimsical when growing and is not demanding on soil fertility, therefore fertilizers are practically not used on its crops, as well as agrochemistry for weed control, which is an indisputable advantage for the consumer. Buckwheat on the output is environmentally friendly - it is a pure and natural product.
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 the normal prenatal development of the fetus 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 a woman, especially during this period. Also, buckwheat helps pregnant women to control their weight and not get better, which is also important during pregnancy.
Important! This croup in its protein composition is similar to meat, what is the great benefit of buckwheat for the body. Of course, croup, can not be compared in taste and full composition with meat, but the content of buckwheat amino acids is quite comparable with their content in meat. Therefore, those who, for whatever reason, refused meat, may well replace its consumption with buckwheat.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
Buckwheat shelf life 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 the 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 - in equal quantities buckwheat flour, buckwheat honey, 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 - wiped eyes with a swab moistened in it.
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 nasal sinuses, thus warming them up and removing 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 be useful for drawing up a homemade daily menu or diet plan. Eat on health - bon appetit!
