Eat Buckwheat to Improve Your Mood
Despite its name, Buckwheat actually doesn’t contain wheat, or gluten and is often a perfect substitute for people who cannot eat gluten in wheat flour, or have a gluten sensitivity. It has more health benefits than normal white all purpose flour.
Buckwheat itself is a plant, actually a seed, not a grain at all, and the flour is produced from the flowers and leaves of the plant.
I like using buckwheat in recipes but particularly in pancakes because it is superior nutritionally than normal all-purpose white flour. The French normally use buckwheat flour in their savory gallettes. It produces a slightly heavier, darker mix but still produces lovely tasting pancakes.
It has mood enhancing properties mainly from the fact that it does not contain wheat and gluten, that can cause gut inflammation in some people, and since we produce the neurotransmitter serotonin in our gut as well as our brain, by eating this instead of regular flour could make us happier by giving us a healthier gut with increased serotonin.
Buckwheat for Diabetics
Buckwheat has a lower Glycemic index when compared to normal white all-purpose flour.
This might be helpful to diabetics who need to keep their blood sugar stable, and also to those people who are trying to lose weight, by stabilizing blood sugar levels.
In one study Diabetics were given buckwheat over a 2 month period. The results showed that they had improved blood sugar control and reduced insulin resistance.
Nutritional Properties of Buckwheat
Buckwheat contains all 12 amino acids, to support growth and repair and muscle synthesis. It also contains fibre, to help improve your digestion and keep your bowels healthy. It contains B vitamins, manganese and zinc which help with blood vessel function and healthy circulation and keeps you energized.
Buckwheat also contains 75% of your daily recommended value of Magnesium which is often lacking in people’s diet, as it is depleted through stress. Magnesium is needed to help with muscle recovery and growth, so it is particularly important if you do a lot of exercise.
How does Buckwheat compare against ordinary all-purpose flour?
The main differences lie in the fact that Buckwheat has a higher level of protein, Magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium and Manganese and a lower glycemic index than white flour.
Buckwheat also has the added advantage of not containing wheat and gluten that can have potentially mood altering effects, as well as digestive upset potential.
If you want to try out Buckwheat for the first time, then this tasty Buckwheat pancake recipe below is a good place to start, it will satisfy a sweet tooth and keep the kids happy as an after school snack. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just because you feel like it.
http://www.nrgizedmum.com/blueberry-pancakes-mango-banana-sauce-gluten-free/
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